Wet floor accidents in Orland Park can cause catastrophic injuries. However, property owners can take certain precautions to prevent these incidents from occurring.
When you were injured from slipping on a wet floor that resulted from a property owner’s negligence, you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages. Consult a seasoned slip and fall attorney as soon as possible to understand your legal options.
Primary Causes of Wet Floor Accidents
Wet floor accidents, also known as slip-and-falls, generally fall under the category of personal injuries in Orland Park. Under the legal theory of premises liability, the property owner is potentially liable for negligence.
Slippery surfaces typically cause wet floor accidents. A wide range of events can lead to slippery conditions, including the following:
- Water leaks
- Adverse weather conditions, especially rain, ice or snow
- Mopping or cleaning floors
- Spilling liquid
- Failing to clean up bodily fluids
Factors such as poor lighting or visibility can also increase the chance of a wet floor accident.
Property Owners Have a Duty to Warn
Common law premises liability requires property owners to take reasonable precautions to ensure their property is safe for guests or visitors. 740 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 130/2 states that the duty owed by a property owner is to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances, based on the state of the property and acts or omissions of care on the premises.
If an owner knows that a dangerous condition, such as wet floors, exists on the premises, they must take reasonable action to remove the hazard or warn visitors about it. When a property owner’s lack of reasonable care leads to an injury, the person harmed can usually satisfy the initial elements of a negligence claim. In addition, the plaintiff must prove that this breach in care was the proximate cause of their harm.
The plaintiff must have suffered damages as a result of the breach in care. Slip and fall accidents caused by wet floors in Orland Park can lead to devastating injuries, like broken or fractured bones, traumatic brain injuries, or paralysis. Plaintiffs that suffer injuries can pursue both economic or noneconomic damages, such as:
- Hospital bills
- Lost wages
- Physical therapy costs
- Mental anguish
- Lost consortium with a partner
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
If the defendant was purposely or grossly negligent, a plaintiff can also pursue punitive damages to deter future misconduct, as a personal injury attorney could further explain.
Limitations on Duty to Warn
While property owners owe a general duty of care to keep their premises safe for guests and visitors, courts have placed some limits on this obligation. For example, property owners generally do not owe a duty of care to unexpected trespassers.
Similarly, according to 740 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 130/2, a property owner generally does not have a duty to warn or to protect visitors from:
- Open and apparent hazards that the guest should reasonably expect to discover
- Hazardous conditions unknown to the property owner
- Dangers resulting from misuse of the premises or objects located on the property
The duty owed to a guest for a wet floor accident in Orland Park will depend on the case’s specific facts.
Consult an Orland Park Attorney About Wet Floor Accidents Today
Injuries suffered in wet floor accidents can drastically impact an individual’s health. These injuries can lead to permanent disabilities and may impact the person’s ability to maintain employment.
Negligence lawsuits for personal injuries suffered in wet floor accidents in Orland Park are complicated. Speaking with an attorney about your case could help you understand whether you have a valid legal claim. Call MJB Law Offices today for more information.
