Reasonable Expectations
There have to be reasonable guidelines for the business in establishing whether or not they were negligent. For example, no business is really liable if you slide down the rail on an escalator, fall off and break your arm. However, If the escalator was wet and slippery or the railing suddenly stopped and caused you to take a tumble, the jury might find in your favor. There is an element of common sense in these cases.
Notices
When you’re in a commercial property, the owner has some obligation to let you know if an area is dangerous. They’ll generally put out warnings or notices on the wall or floor if there are any potential hazards. If you violate these notices, you may not have a case that would really stand much of a chance in court. If you slip and fall on a wet floor that is not marked, however, or end up tripping over something that is not flagged, you might have a case.
Talking to a Lawyer
A personal injury law firm may be willing to meet with you for a free consultation where they can discuss your case and determine whether or not it’s worth going to court over. If it is, they may take you on a contingency so that you can avoid paying any upfront fees and so that they can get started working for you right away. There’s no way to be sure that you’ll win, but a good lawyer makes it more likely that you will.
