Slip and Fall Accidents in Indiana: What You Need to Know

Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries and life-altering consequences. In the state of Indiana, understanding the premises liability law is crucial if you find yourself involved in a slip and fall incident. This knowledge can provide you with the necessary legal framework should you decide to pursue a slip and fall lawsuit or claim. This blog post will unravel the intricacies of Indiana’s premises liability laws, shed light on how to navigate a slip and fall injury, and offer practical advice on protecting your rights and interests in these unfortunate circumstances.

Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With Our Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers in Indianapolis Indiana
Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With Our Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers in Indianapolis Indiana

Indiana’s Premises Liability Law

Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners, managers and possessors responsible for injuries and accidents that occur on their property. In the state of Indiana, this law applies to slip and fall accidents, making it essential for individuals to understand what constitutes premises liability. Under Indiana Code Section 34-31-11, property owners have a duty of care to provide a safe environment for anyone on their property, whether invited or uninvited.

This includes ensuring that the premises are free from any hazardous conditions and taking necessary measures to prevent accidents and injuries. For instance, if a customer slips on a wet floor at a grocery store, causing them to sustain injuries, the property owner or possessor can be held liable for failing to keep their premises safe and free from hazards that caused the accident. The victim could file a slip and fall accident claim and collect compensation for their damages, such as medical bills and lost wages.

Pursuing a Slip and Fall Lawsuit

If you have suffered a slip and fall injury on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation through a slip and fall lawsuit. However, pursuing legal action can be complicated and requires a thorough understanding of the law. It’s crucial to seek the assistance of a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer who specializes in slip and fall cases. They can help you navigate the legal system and fight for your rights. In Indiana, there is a statute of limitations of two years from the date of the accident to file a slip and fall lawsuit.

What Victims Need to Prove in a Slip and Fall Case

To win a slip and fall lawsuit in Indiana, the victim must prove that the property owner was negligent. This means showing that the owner failed to fulfill their duty of providing a safe environment for visitors on their premises. Common examples of negligence in slip and fall cases include failure to repair or warn about hazardous conditions such as wet floors, loose carpeting, or icy walkways. You must also prove that the property owners, managers and/or  possessors knew or should have known about the dangerous condition prior to the fall. The most common types of injuries that slip and fall victims suffer include broken bones, head injuries, and back injuries.

Protecting Your Rights and Interests

In the aftermath of a slip and fall accident, it’s essential to take certain steps to protect your rights and interests. These include seeking immediate medical attention, documenting the incident by taking photos or videos of the scene, obtaining contact information from any witnesses, and reporting the accident to the property owner or manager. It’s also crucial to avoid making any statements or accepting any settlements from the property owner’s insurance company without consulting a lawyer first.

Conclusion

Slip and fall accidents can happen to anyone, at any time, in Indiana. Understanding premises liability law and your rights as an individual can help you navigate these unfortunate circumstances effectively. If you find yourself involved in a slip and fall injury, make sure to seek legal guidance immediately to protect your interests and hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence. Remember, you have the right to compensation for any damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Would you like to speak with a seasoned civil litigator who knows how to deal with premises liability cases in Indiana? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced slip and fall lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. We represent injured victims all across the state, Indiana residents injured in other states and residents of other states injured in Indiana. In addition, we offer the option to hold meetings either by phone, at your residence, online, or at the hospital if necessary.

Related Posts:

Understanding the Legal Aspects of Slip and Fall Accidents in Indiana
10 Things to Know Before Filing a Slip and Fall Accident Claim
How to Get the Most Out of Your Slip and Fall Injury Claim

How to Get the Most Out of Your Slip and Fall Injury Claim

Slip and fall accidents can result in serious damage, both physical and financial. If you’ve been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to receive compensation through a slip and fall injury claim. But how do you get the most out of your claim? It all starts with knowing what steps to take after an accident happens. In this blog post, we will discuss the process of filing a slip and fall lawsuit, how to find a qualified slip and fall lawyer, common mistakes people make during their claims process, tips for negotiating with insurance companies, and more.

Read on to learn more about getting the most out of your slip and fall injury claim!

Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With a Slip and Fall Attorney in Indianapolis.
Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With a Slip and Fall Attorney in Indianapolis.

The 101 on Slip Trip and Fall Accident Claims

Documentation

The first step in filing a slip and fall claim is to document everything you can remember about the accident. Take pictures of the scene and what caused you to fall, make sure an incident report is filled out by the business or property owner, if you have a receipt proving you were on the property at a specific time and place hold onto the receipt, ask the business or property owner to retain all video evidence from the day of your fall, collect witness names, addresses, phone numbers and statements if possible, and make sure to keep track of all medical bills associated with your injury.

Once you have gathered all of this information, it’s time to find a qualified personal injury slip and fall lawyer to represent you. If you don’t have all the information it is okay.  Your attorney will help to obtain the information. Your personal injury attorney should be experienced in handling slip, trip, and fall cases, and they should be willing to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf or take the case to trial if a full and fair settlement cannot be reached.

Negotiations

When negotiating with the insurance company, it’s important to remember that they will likely try to minimize their payout as much as possible. This is why having a qualified slip and fall injury attorney is so important—they can help you understand the legal process and represent your interests throughout the negotiations. Your lawyer will also provide evidence supporting your claims so that you can have a strong case for receiving compensation.

Security

The first thing you should do is consult with an experienced Indiana slip and fall lawyer for your slip, trip, and fall injury claim as soon as you can. Evidence can be lost or not preserved if you do not move quickly. Secondly, it is important to have your own attorney representing your interests as the defendant’s insurance carrier will have an attorney representing their insured’s interests.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can ensure that your slip and fall claim is handled properly and that you get the most out of it. Calling and speaking with an experienced slip and fall attorney is always a good idea.

Are you prepared to uncover more about your right to acquire reimbursement for the recent slipping, tripping, or falling accident that occurred in Indiana? For a free, no-obligation consultation with an Indianapolis slip and fall lawyer, call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover and Blazek, P.C today at 317-881-2700. Our knowledgeable legal team is ready to take on your case!

Related Posts:

Indiana Slip and Fall Accident Claim Guide for Victims
When Can a Slip and Fall Accident Lead to a Lawsuit?
Are Schools Liable for Playground Injuries to Children?

What Accident Victims Must Prove to Win a Slip and Fall Case

In many cases, a personal injury slip and fall accident occurs as a result of property owner, property occupant and/or property manager’s negligence. From spills and puddles to lax grounds maintenance, building code violations, deteriorating pavement, and more, slip and fall accidents can be a permanent condition or something temporary. Either way, if you are injured in a slip, trip, or fall accident, it is important to educate yourself on your rights as a victim of a personal injury. This applies to both visitors and staff of commercial businesses, as well as guests, tenants and occupants in residential settings.

Continue reading to learn what a slip and fall accident victim must prove in a personal injury lawsuit in order to win their case.

Slip and Fall Lawyers  Indianapolis Indiana 317-881-2700
Slip and Fall Lawyers Indianapolis Indiana 317-881-2700

A Property Owner’s Duty of Care

Property owners have a legal liability referred to as duty of care, which requires them to maintain a safe and secure premises, free of any foreseeable hazards or dangers. The law will hold property owners responsible for a victim’s damages if said victim is seriously injured or suffers permanent consequences after slipping and falling on their premises as a result of violating this duty of care.

However, in order for an accident victim to win their slip and fall lawsuit, they must prove certain facts of their claim. This claimant obligation is known as burden of proof, and it is a central element in every personal injury case.

Burden of Proof in a Slip and Fall Accident

A slip and fall accident victim and their legal team of personal injury attorneys are responsible for proving their case. They must factually demonstrate that the negligent party’s carelessness caused unsafe conditions that led to the victim’s accident, and that the accident caused serious injuries that required hospitalization or medical treatment.

As a wrongfully injured victim of a slip and fall accident, it is important to ask yourself:

What caused me to slip and/or fall?

Should someone have known about the thing that caused my fall?

Was the cause of my accident foreseeable and preventable if proper precautions and inspections were performed?

These three questions will help you gain a basic understanding of your chance of success in pursing a slip and fall claim against a property owner or other negligent party.

If you are injured in a Slip and Fall:

If you are hurt in a commercial or business setting, even at work or school, or injured anywhere else, it is important to take pictures and video of the area of your accident, what caused your fall and retrieve all witness contact information. These two initiatives can help you prove your slip and fall case faster to the insurance carrier for the defendant. 

You should always make a written report if possible as well.  Following medical treatment, contact an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer as soon as possible before evidence is lost to support your claim or time runs out on the statute of limitations for your claim.

Not sure which personal injury law firm can help you recover the maximum settlement for your slip and fall case in Indiana? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with us about scheduling a free consultation with a licensed and experienced slip and fall injury lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. We represent clients throughout the state of Indiana and can hold meetings over the phone, internet, or in person at our Indy-based office.

Related Posts:

Is the Landlord Responsible for an Apartment Slip and Fall Accident?
Can I Make an Injury Claim With My Gym’s Insurance Company for a Slip and Fall Accident?
The Key Liability Questions in Slip and Fall Lawsuit

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Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana Slip and Fall Lawsuits

When a slip and fall accident in Indiana causes you severe injuries, you can expect to also suffer several other types of losses, like mental and emotional anguish, lost wages, and medical bills. If your accident occurred as a result of another’s negligence, you need professional personal injury representation to successfully recover the maximum settlement you are owed for your damages and losses.

Not sure where to begin as a wrongfully injured victim? Continue below to review some frequently asked questions about slip and fall lawsuits, including how to find the right Indiana accident law firm for your claim.

Slip and Fall Injury Lawyers Indianapolis, Indiana
Slip and Fall Injury Lawyers Indianapolis, Indiana 317-881-2700

Slip and Fall Accident FAQS

Do I Need to Hire an Accident Lawyer for My Slip and Fall Injury Claim?

If your slip and fall accident and subsequent injuries were caused by another’s negligence, you are highly encouraged to hire a personal injury lawyer to prove your damages and obtain the full and fair compensation you deserve. As the claimant, you have the burden of proving not only liability, but also damages and losses, past, current, and future. For this reason, a personal injury lawyer is a vital asset, as they have a full comprehension of the laws and therefore, retains the skills and acumen needed to prove your case. They navigate all the legal complexities of your claim, allowing you to put all of your focus on your own physical, mental, and emotional recovery.

How Will My Indiana Slip and Fall Lawyer Prove My Damages and Losses?

The primary aspect of a slip and fall accident claim is to identify the at-fault party. Who is ultimately responsible for the circumstances that made the accident take place? There can sometimes be more than one at-fault party.  Your slip and fall lawyer will implement their legal resources to investigate every detail surrounding the accident and overall case, thus gathering the needed evidence to prove liability and duty of care owed.

Once your lawyer proves liability, they will then prove how the at-fault party was negligent, and how that negligence was a responsible cause of the accident and resulting injuries. Then they will present all evidence that proves your injuries and subsequent damages and losses. Such losses include pain, suffering, mental and emotional anguish, as well as lost wages from missing work, hospital bills, medical expenses, and more.

What are Some Common Types of Negligence That Cause Slip and Fall Accidents?

Some of the most common types of negligence that cause slip and fall accidents include wet or slippery floors with no warning signs nearby, crumbling or unlevel steps, torn carpeting, poor lighting, broken stair rails, poorly-maintained pavements, frozen ice on walkways that were not treated with deicer salts and spills on floors that are not cleaned up in a timely manner.

Can I Sue the Person or Company Responsible for My Slip and Fall Accident?

If your slip and fall accident occurred because another person or party acted negligently and failed to uphold their duty of reasonable care to protect you from harm, you should be able to bring a personal injury claim against them in order to obtain compensation for your damages and losses. You should consult with a skilled and experienced Indiana personal injury attorney to learn your eligibility to pursue legal action against a negligent party, and to professionally represent your claim. Most claims are settled out of court, but a competent law firm needs to be willing and ready to take your case to trial to ensure you receive the maximum settlement or verdict for your claim if necessary.

Are you ready to get started with your slip and fall injury claim in Indiana? Contact the accident attorneys at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. to schedule a free consultation with an Indianapolis Indiana slip and fall lawyer, today at 888-881-2700. We are happy to discuss your case over the phone, via Zoom, at your home or in person at our office. We represent injured people and wrongful death cases for clients throughout the state of Indiana.

You Should Also Read:

Common Slip and Fall Code Violations
3 Lies About Slip and Fall Accident Cases
The Key Liability Questions in Slip and Fall Lawsuit

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
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How the Law Holds Property Owners Accountable for Negligence

Premise Liability Law is a set of ordinances that hold property owners liable and responsible for any harm or damages caused to people that are on their premises. This liability differs depending on whether the injured person was invited onto the property, licensed to enter the property, or someone who has trespassed onto the property. Continue reading to learn more about premise liability law, and how it protects you against being wrongfully injured by a negligent store or property owner.

Indianapolis IN Accident Lawyers
Indianapolis IN Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

What is Considered One’s Premises?

Property premise is defined as inside and outside the property, including sidewalks and access property. Such cases of premise liability have involved slip and fall accidents, structural hazards, victims of violence and assault, food poisoning, animal bites and attacks, and more.  More detailed reports of past premise liability cases were dead tree branches, poorly maintained public stores, swimming pool accidents, pet bites and animal attacks, driveway car accidents, unlevelled sidewalks, restaurant food poisoning, and bonfire accidents.    

Premise Liability Organizations

Important organizations related to premise liability law in Indianapolis, IN are the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA), the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC).  These associations have dedicated years of combined efforts to reform the law and rights of injured individuals.  The American Tort Reform Association was created in 1986.  The Association’s creed is preserving the American civil justice system’s efficiency, predictability, and fairness. 

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners seems like an unlikely ally in the premise liability law world.  But, in fact, this association has worked endlessly to promote markets, protect the public’s interest, implement equal and fair service of insurance customers, promote reliability of insurance companies, and the improve the state’s regulation of insurance.  Finally, the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control was established 20 years ago to promote safety and injury prevention across the country and works closely with research institutions to get closer to their goals. 

Talk to an Experienced Premise Liability Lawyer

If you think you may have been involved in a premise liability accident, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney right away.  Depending on the circumstance of your case, you may have a valid legal claim for compensation.  You can pursue a personal injury claim to recover financial restitution for lost wages, emotional distress, hospital bills, medical expenses, legal fees, prolonged therapy, pain, suffering, and much more. 

Were you injured on someone’s property because they were careless? Contact the accident attorneys at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free consultation with a seasoned personal injury attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana. We also specialize in slip and fall accident cases.

You Should Also Read:

A Store’s Obligation to Maintain Safe Premises
What is Premise Liability?
How Do I Sue a Store for My Injuries?

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
Schedule a Free Consultation!

How Do I Sue a Store for My Injuries?

After being injured or suffering an accident at a retail store, it is important to learn your rights to compensation and legal protection, regardless of the extent of your damages and losses. Continue reading for a basic review on what you need to know about retail store lawsuits and personal injury claims, including and how to get started on your personal injury claim.

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700
Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

A Store’s Liability

Retail stores, like all public and private properties, have a duty of reasonable care to keep their environments free of hazards and unsafe conditions. In the case where a retail store neglects to uphold their legal standard of care, and as a result a person is injured on their premises, they could be held legally liable for the victim’s damages and losses and their insurance carrier would be responsible for paying any judgment or settlement on behalf of the retail store.

Under tort law, this legal principle is known as premise liability. The type or extent of liability a retail store can be subjected to really depends on broad spectrum of factors, especially whether or not the victim was invited onto the property, licensed to enter the property, or trespassed onto the property. The law classifies customers and guests as invitees, whether paying or not, therefore under law, all customers are entitled to protection under a reasonable care standard from harm while on the store property.

A property’s “premise” is defined as inside and outside of a property, including sidewalks, parking lots, and gates, staircases, parking garages, and more.  Where the lines are drawn is fact sensitive. Cases of premise liability can involve various types of accidents and injuries. The most common accidents are slip, trip, and fall accidents. Other common types of premise liability accidents include structural hazards, orthopedic injuries, burn injuries, violence and assault, food poisoning, animal attacks, pedestrian accidents, swimming pool accidents, and more.

Retail Store Accident Claims

If you were injured on the property of a retail store as a result of their negligence, you are entitled to certain legal rights, including compensation for your hospital bills, medical expenses, time lost at work, pain, suffering, and much more if caused as a result of the store’s failure to use reasonable care. Your first step to getting your accident claim started is to contact a seasoned personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis for an initial consultation.

During your initial consultation, you will discuss several points of your claim with an experienced attorney who can guide you on the best track toward financial recovery. Since first consultations are free, you do not have to worry about paying anything out of pocket to learn more about your legal rights. See our blog, “What to Bring to a Personal Injury Consultation” for details on how to prepare for your first meeting with an accident lawyer.

Top-Rated Accident Attorneys at Your Service

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to make a personal injury claim in Indiana. Our seasoned Indianapolis personal injury attorneys maintain a concentrated focus on accident law, and retain extensive trial and litigation experience with a written track record of success. Not only do we offer free initial consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we recover a settlement or judgment for you. Get started by scheduling your consultation, today.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Common Slip and Fall Code Violations

Here in Indiana, all entities and persons are legally required to construct and maintain their properties at a certain level of safety. This means that any place that welcomes the general public, such as office buildings, grocery stores, movie theaters, hotels, public parks, and malls, must take the proper actions, inactions, and precautions to ensure there are not any dangerous conditions on their premises. This legal principle is known as premise liability, and it is what you will want to learn more about in the case that you or someone you love is injured as a result of a municipal code violation.

Code violations are serious, as you have probably heard stories about accidents that happen when something is not “up to code” or within legal standards. One type of accident that tends to occur more often as a result of code violations are slip, trip, and fall accidents. Continue reading to review some of the most common slip and fall code violations seen in personal injury cases, as well as, what to do if you’ve been injured as a result of inadequate building codes in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis Premise Liability Attorneys 317-881-2700
Indianapolis Premise Liability Attorneys 317-881-2700

Indiana Building Code Violations

⚖ Here in Indiana, you can peruse a comprehensive list of building codes by downloading the Indiana Amendments of IBC 13 document.

Common Slip and Fall Code Violations

There are several types of code violations; thousands in fact. But when it comes to slip, trip, and fall accidents, some of the most common violations behind them include:

✒ Missing or broken hand rails on stairs and slopes;
✒ Crumbled, warped, or rotted stairs;
✒ Unleveled curbs;
✒ Insufficient lighting (stairs, sidewalks, streets, etc.);
✒ No security for slick surfaces (slip-resistant mats, wet floors signs, etc.);
✒ Broken or missing downspouts that cause pooled water or ice patches;
✒ Insufficient or incorrect maintenance of elevators and escalators;
✒ Unmarked construction zones;
✒ Unmanaged ice and snow accumulations;
✒ Torn or ripped carpeting;
✒ Grease or chemical spills;

Premise Liability

A premise liability, slip and fall case will depend on several factors. But one of the most influential will be whether or not the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard that caused the accident, and whether or not the hazard was something that should have been reasonably foreseen to cause injury to a person.

For example, a landlord for an apartment building is informed that the lighting in the stairwell has gone out. The landlord fails to replace the light bulbs within a reasonable amount of time, and as a result, an elderly tenant trips and falls down them on their way to their apartment unit, and suffers serious injuries. In this case, the landlord would likely be held responsible for all damages and losses resulting from the tenant’s accident and subsequent injuries. This includes hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

How to Get Legal Help For Your Slip and Fall Claim

If you or someone you loved was recently injured in a slip and fall accident, contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 before the Indiana statute of limitations runs out for your claim. Our Indianapolis slip and fall lawyers work hard to recover full and fair compensation for all injury victims. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation with a licensed and experienced premise liability attorney who can help you recover financially from a slip and fall accident.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Were You Injured at a Store After Falling on Ice or Snow?

Premise liability is a staple principle of tort law. If you were recently shopping at a local store that did not take the proper precautions to protect its patrons from falling on snow and ice, or being involved in an accident as a result of neglected snow and ice removal, you could be entitled to certain compensation for your related damages and losses.

Continue reading to learn more about premise liability in Indiana, including how to get started evaluating your potential personal injury case.

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700
Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers 317-881-2700

Basics of Premise Liability

Premise liability refers to an area of the law that holds property owners legally responsible for any harm or damages caused to people who are on their premises. For clarity, a property’s “premise” is defined as inside and outside the property, sometimes including sidewalks and access property. Furthermore, factors of premise liability differ depending on whether the injured person was invited onto the property, licensed to enter the property, or trespassed onto the property.

Situations like structural hazards, violence and assault, food poisoning, animal attacks, swimming pool accidents, and bonfires, are general examples of premise liability cases, however, one of the most prevalent types of premise liability cases involve slip and fall accidents. In the case of snow and ice, if a store owner does not properly manage the removal of the accumulation on their premises, it can result in slippery walkways outside, slippery floors inside, obstructed fire escapes, unleveled surfaces, car and pedestrian accidents, and other hazardous conditions.

If a property owner is aware of unsafe conditions or should have been aware, and allows the unsafe conditions to continue by failing to eliminate all hazards, they are putting visitors and customers at risk of being injured. In such cases, if a person is involved in an accident caused by a property owner’s negligence, and as a result of the accident injuries occur, the property owner could be held legally liable for that person’s related damages and losses, such as hospital bills, medical expenses, lost work wages, pain, suffering, and more.

Premise Liability Organizations

Important organizations related to premise liability law in Indiana are the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC). 

Indiana Slip and Fall Attorneys

Slip, trips, and fall cases are some of the most complex, thus requiring the attention of a seasoned personal injury law firm. If you were recently injured after falling on snow, ice, or any other hazard, it is vital that you contact a licensed Indiana slip and fall attorney as soon as possible to learn your rights to compensation.

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

At the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C., we offer free initial consultations to get you started on the right path toward financial recovery. There is no out-of-pocket obligation to pay unless we recover a settlement for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your introductory appointment with a skilled and knowledgeable accident lawyer you can trust.

Property Code Violations Can Cause Slip and Fall Accidents

Premise Liability Claims 317-881-2700

Premise Liability Claims 317-881-2700

Slip, trip, and fall accidents are complicated. There are so many variables that can lead to such accidents and injuries. One of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents involve property code violations. When a commercial or rental property is not up to code, there are not only potential legal consequences, but safety concerns as well. It is up to the municipalities (state and federal governments) to rule on and enforce proper building codes and standards to maintain safety.

Commercial properties like grocery stores, offices, and movie theaters, are legally obligated to maintain a safe and hazard-free environment at all times. This ordinance falls under premise liability law. For rental properties like townhomes, apartments, and condos, there is also a responsibility to maintain a premise that is both “up to code” and hazard-free; but who that responsibility falls on can sometimes be unclear.

For rental properties, most often the lease will define every detail of tenant and landlord responsibilities in terms of safety and maintenance. It is common for the tenant to be responsible for maintenance like snow and ice removal on personal sidewalks and driveways, but it is also common for condominium and apartment property management companies to provide professional landscaping and snow service for a monthly HOA (Home Owners’ Association) fee.

It is important to always discuss premise liability with your landlord or review the terms laid out in your lease. As for business owners, review some common building code violations that can not only cause slip, trip, and fall accidents, but hold you liable for a victim’s injuries and damages.

Building Code Violations and Hazards

Premise Liability Claims 317-881-2700

Premise Liability Claims 317-881-2700

Most slip and fall accidents can be prevented, but if certain precautions are not taken, a property can quickly become a hazardous environment. If you are aware of which code violations and dangers to look for, you can better protect yourself from a potential slip and fall accident. But if you are a property owner, it is more important to make sure your premises is properly maintained and safe at all times.

Common Building Code Violations:

• Un-Shoveled Snow and Ice on Sidewalks
• Snow and Ice Left on Floors w/o Visible Warning
• Uneven Curbs or Sidewalks
• Warped Stairs or Steps
• Crumbling Steps
• Broken Stairwells
• Missing or Broken Stair Rails or Handles
• Poorly-Lit Sidewalks or Stairwells
• Improper Placement of Downspouts Causing Water and Ice Accumulation
• Lack of Slip-Resistant Mats for Slippery Floors
• Unmarked Construction Zones
• And More

If you were recently injured as a result of a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, you may not be responsible for your own damages and losses. Talk to a licensed personal injury attorney about your slip and fall accident as soon as possible. You may be entitled to legal compensation for pain, suffering, medical bills, time off work, and much more.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Attorney Indianapolis

Personal Injury Attorneys Indianapolis 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation with a seasoned slip and fall lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek have many years of experience representing victims of slip, trip, and fall accidents. We work around the clock to make sure we recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after sustaining serious slip and fall injuries. Call 317-881-2700 today for information about filing a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, IN.