Minnesota law generally holds property owners responsible for ensuring that their homes, office buildings or retail establishments are free from known hazards. If you slip, trip or fall while on another person’s property, that individual may be liable for any damages that you incur related to that incident. You may want to take a closer look at how to prove that an accident was the result of another party’s negligence.
Should the property owner have known about the issue?
Say that you fell on a floor that had just been mopped. In such a scenario, the property owner should understand that it may remain slippery for several minutes after he or she finished mopping. In another example, say that the floor was wet because a customer had just knocked over a glass bottle of soda that broke on impact. In this case, the defendant may be able to claim that he or she couldn’t have known about the hazard before you were hurt.
Did you do anything to cause an accident to occur?
Generally speaking, you have a duty to keep yourself free from harm. Therefore, if you tripped while running up a flight of stairs, a property owner might claim that you were partially responsible for your injuries. The same might be true if you slipped, tripped or fell because you were looking down at your phone instead of watching for hazards while walking.
Were there any warning signs nearby?
As a general rule, property owners can minimize their liability by warning others about any hazards that they may encounter. However, warning signs must be located in a prominent location and easy for a common person to understand.
If you were hurt after slipping, tripping or falling, you may experience injuries that might take weeks, months or years to fully recover from. A personal injury attorney may be able to review your case and work to help you obtain a favorable outcome in a timely manner.