Slip and fall accidents happen with alarming frequency; they often result in very severe injuries—even fatalities. The personal injury attorneys at Gacovino, Lake & Associates represent individuals and families who are harmed by slip and fall accidents that are due (in part or completely) to the negligence of another party. A fall or slip may happen when:

• A sidewalk has not been cleared of snow, ice or water
• A pot hole in a street has not been repaired
• Spilled substances have not been cleaned up
• A carpet or mat is not properly secured, causing someone to trip
• There is an unmarked change in the level of the floor
• A stairway is not adequately maintained
• A necessary barrier or fence is not present

Property Owners' Duty to Maintain Safe Premises

It is the duty of a property owner to keep the property in a safe condition. When this duty is not met, the property owner—whether it is a business, government entity, or private individual—may be held liable for the injuries and losses that occur in a slip and fall accident.

Many People Are Hurt or Killed in Slips and Falls

A business property owner may be an employer or a place of business where the public is invited to enter. For example, falls in the workplace are the second leading causes of accidental workplace deaths (traffic accidents are the first), and slip and fall injuries account for nearly one-fifth of all Workers' Compensation costs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, in 2000 alone there were over 300,000 workplace injuries due to falls.

At Public and Private Sites

A fall can occur in a great variety of other places, too, such as:

• Retail sites—stores, malls, restaurants, bar and nightclubs
• At a church, temple, synagogue, or other location owned by a religious or not-for-profit organization
• City- or county-owned property such as libraries, government offices, post offices
• On sidewalks, parking lots, street intersections
• In the home—that of another or even the home of the injured person, in some circumstances

Slips and falls can result in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), injuries to internal organs, and fractured and broken bones. The cost of hospitalization and treatment for the outcome of a serious slip or fall can easily run into tens of thousands of dollars.

Legal Representation for the Injured

The personal injury lawyers at our firm have a great deal of experience representing individuals who have suffered from a slip, trip or fall. Contact the offices of Gacovino, Lake & Associates to learn more about legal options for the injured in a free consultation. We will evaluate your case to determine if negligence from another party attributed to your injury. If so, we will fight tirelessly to ensure the responsible parties are held accountable.

• Accidents in Retail Stores
• Slip and Fall Accidents

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