The warmer spring weather typically brings out more people in our Pennsylvania neighborhoods, whether kids playing, a group of friends joining for a morning walk and some conversation, or people heading to the corner market for some milk.
But there also are hazards in that neighborhood that perhaps could cause harm to people just trying to enjoy a spring day – and lead to a slip-and-fall accident. Such incidents can be serious and lead to broken bones, brain injuries, sprains and more.
The property owners or tenants are responsible for keeping areas the public can access free of dangers that could cause injuries. Just as we know property owners must shovel snow or remove ice in the winter, they have similar obligations in every season.
What do those hazards include?
- Inadequate lighting, which could cause people to trip on curbs or steps, or stumble on uneven surfaces. Property owners can be held liable for your injuries if they knew, for example, that light bulbs needed to be replaced and failed to do so.
- Unsafe parking lots, such as potholes that could cause falls. All cracks and holes should be filled or patched as soon as the winter season is over.
- Dangerous conditions on sidewalks, such as hoses or shovels used as tools for spring planting, that people can trip over.
A slip-and-fall accident can keep you laid up – and out of work – for a while. As the medical bills come in, and your paycheck doesn’t, you undoubtedly will worry how all the bills will be paid. An attorney experienced in personal injury cases can discuss your options with you.
