Fall is nearly here. Some may think they can breathe a sigh of relief. The wet weather of spring and summer has passed, while you’re just months away from filling potholes and handling icy sidewalks in winter.
Yet, fall weather, as innocuous as it appears, presents its own set of hazards. As the seasons change, be mindful of the following:
Leaves
Especially in Connecticut and the rest of the Northeast, wet leaves pose one of the greatest slip and fall risks. After the rain falls, dry leaves become slick; in turn, they create a slippery surface on sidewalks and roads, and may even get tracked inside your store. Not paying attention to clean them and create a safe path for pedestrians increases the likelihood of a related injury.
Dry leaves, on the other hand, aren’t off limits. Although you can easily brush and rake them away, they accumulate on the ground, on sidewalks, in parking lots and yards, and nearly anywhere people walk outdoors. What could result is, the leaves form a layer over potholes, uneven surfaces, and trip hazards. When not cleared often enough, their presence obscures potential slip and fall risks, creating a danger to your customers and anyone else on your property.
Poor Lighting
You might think that poor lighting is something to be avoided all year long. Yet, daylight significantly decreases during the fall season. Businesses might not be prepared to provide improved outdoor and interior lighting.
Daylight savings ends on November 11th. After this date, any exterior area needs improved visibility. Otherwise, those going about the premises may trip or fall from a bump, pothole, crack, damaged staircase, missing railing, or uneven surface. Essentially, your property’s exterior turns into a greater hazard.
But the interior isn’t off-limits, either. Slips and falls may occur close to the entryway, so be sure to provide adequate lighting.
Slip and fall cases are complicated affairs. The property owner has a responsibility to everyone on his or her premises. That is, he must keep it safe, clean up or clearly mark any hazardous areas, and make a concerted, regular effort to do so.
The customer, or potential plaintiff, additionally has a responsibility. Specifically, this involves logical conduct on the property, such as obeying all warning signs and avoiding hazards a typical person would understand to be dangerous.
Yet, when a property owner doesn’t maintain the parking lot or interior, customers may end up injured. If you find yourself recuperating and facing mounting medical bills, bring your claim to Trantolo & Trantolo’s experienced slip and fall lawyers.
