No matter how careful and attentive you are, slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere any time. And while wet and slippery surfaces and tripping hazards are often the main culprits, poor lighting can be just as hazardous.
Strolling down city streets in Salt Lake City or on your trip to the nearest grocery store, slip and fall accidents can happen when you do not expect them. But poorly lit premises, broken lights, or no light at all significantly increase the risk of tripping, slipping, and falling and injuring yourself.
That is why it is highly advised to be aware of all the risks associated with poor lighting and how low-light places and situations that can increase the risk of your injury. We invited our Salt Lake City slip and fall accident attorney from the Jardine Law Offices P.C., P.C., to outline the dangers of poor lighting in Utah.
Hallways and walkways
When you are walking down the hallway or walkway that is poorly lit, you will most likely not be able to see all the hazards along your way. These hazards may include objects, cracks in the floor, slippery floor, power cords, snags in the carpet, uneven surface, steps, and other tripping hazards that cannot be reasonable expected.
Slipping hazards
Hundreds of thousands of people all across the United States sustain injuries due to slipping hazards every year. Poor lighting or no light at all make it impossible for people to see slipping hazards and avoid these hazards. Even a little bit of liquid on slippery floor can cause a slip and fall accident, and there will be a low chance that a person will be able to notice that slipping hazard in poor lighting (unless, of course, he or she is equipped with night-vision goggles).
Stairways and stairwells
It is vital to keep stairways and stairwells well-lit, as inability to see steps increases the risk of a slip and fall accident, especially when steps have an inadequate or uneven height or depth, and/or there are no handrails. Not to mention that slippery stairs, wet or icy steps, are a slip and fall accident waiting to happen.
Who will be held liable for a slip and fall accident caused by poor lighting?
“It is the legal duty of the owner of the property to maintain his or her premises in a way that would ensure visitors, guests, and customers’ safety, which includes addressing light problems as soon as any dangerous condition with lighting has been discovered. Changing light bulbs in a timely manner, inspecting the premises regularly, maintaining light fixtures and wiring – these are the fundamental elements of keeping one’s property safe and hazard-free.
The failure to ensure a safe environment makes property owners liable for any injuries and damages suffered by their guests, visitors, and customers in slip and fall accidents in Salt Lake City and all across Utah. However, in order to bring a premises liability lawsuit claiming that you were injured in a slip and fall accident, it is advised to be represented by a Salt Lake City slip and fall accident attorney.
Although each case is unique, all victims of slip and fall accidents have to establish three elements of a premises liability claim to recover damages:
- The owner of the property where the accident occurred owed you a duty of care;
- The duty of care was breached due to the property owner’s negligence, recklessness, wrongful acts or omission to act;
- The breach of duty resulted in your injury, and you have suffered damages because of that injury.
Only an experienced premises liability attorney in Salt Lake City or elsewhere in Utah can establish all three elements of your claim and help you seek compensation for your injuries and damages. Contact the Jardine Law Offices P.C., P.C., to get a free consultation about your case today. Give us a call at 801-350-3506 or fill out this contact form.