Nobody ever expects to sustain a serious injury from a slip and fall injury, particularly when going through some of the rather mundane aspects of life, such as shopping in a grocery store or walking through a parking lot. Unfortunately, when property owners, managers, and employees aren’t vigilant, hazards can quickly appear, and people can get hurt as a result. If you are someone who recently slipped and fell on a wet floor and were injured, you may be wondering if you can sue for financial compensation. Please continue reading and reach out to a Union County slip and fall accident lawyer from The Mark Law Firm to learn more. Here are some of the questions you may have:

Can I Sue If I Slipped on a Wet Floor in New Jersey?

Fortunately, in many cases, the answer to this question is yes.

Property owners in New Jersey have a legal obligation to ensure their premises are reasonably safe for those who are lawfully on their property. This means that business owners, landlords, property managers, and others generally have a responsibility to inspect their premises, identify hazards, and either correct dangerous conditions or adequately warn visitors that those conditions exist.

That being said, simply slipping on a wet floor does not automatically mean that you have a valid lawsuit.

Instead, in most cases, you will have to demonstrate that the property owner was negligent in some way. Simply put, negligence means that a property owner either knew about a dangerous condition or should have known about it and failed to take reasonable action to address it.

Some examples of situations that may give rise to a wet floor accident lawsuit can include the following:

  • A grocery store employee failed to clean up a spilled drink for an extended period of time.
  • A business mopped its floors but failed to place warning signs nearby.
  • A leaking freezer, pipe, or ceiling created a dangerous walking surface.
  • Employees ignored complaints regarding slippery conditions.
  • Property owners failed to conduct regular inspections of the premises.
  • Rainwater accumulated near an entrance and no preventative measures were taken.

What Do I Need to Prove in a Wet Floor Slip and Fall Case?

As with most personal injury claims, there are several elements that must be established before compensation may be recovered.

Generally, an injured party will have to demonstrate the following:

  • The property owner owed a duty of care.
  • A dangerous condition existed on the property.
  • The property owner knew or reasonably should have known about the condition.
  • The dangerous condition was not repaired or adequately addressed.
  • The hazardous condition directly caused the accident.
  • The accident resulted in injuries and financial damages.

Of course, proving these elements often requires evidence, and in many cases, evidence can disappear far faster than people realize.

Some of the most useful forms of evidence in wet floor accident claims can include:

  • Photographs of the wet floor immediately after the accident.
  • Surveillance footage from security cameras.
  • Witness statements from customers or other visitors.
  • Incident reports prepared by management.
  • Medical records documenting injuries and treatment.
  • Cleaning schedules and maintenance records.

Many businesses only retain surveillance footage for a relatively short period of time before it is overwritten or deleted entirely. Because of this, it is often in an injured person’s best interests to speak with an attorney sooner rather than later so steps can be taken to preserve that evidence before it disappears.

What Compensation Can Be Recovered After a Wet Floor Accident?

The answer to this question depends largely on the severity of your injuries and the impact those injuries have had on your life.

Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical bills.
  • Future medical expenses.
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs.
  • Lost wages.
  • Loss of future earning capacity.
  • Pain and suffering.
  • Emotional distress.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life.

If you have any additional questions or you’ve been injured and are seeking compensation, please don’t hesitate to contact The Mark Law Firm for a free initial consultation today.