Abbotsford Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers
Rainy, icy, and snowy weather conditions can increase the risk of accidentally slipping and falling while visiting someone else’s property. However, slips and falls can happen at any time of year, even in fair weather.
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere. Supermarkets, shopping malls, parking lots, sidewalks, and even residential properties can harbour unseen hazards that could cause even the most cautious Abbotsford residents to sustain injuries in unexpected accidents. And while some victims of slip and fall accidents only sustain relatively minor injuries like bruises and cuts, many people sustain much more severe injuries after slipping and falling.
It may not be immediately apparent, but many slip and fall accidents are the result of someone else’s negligence, namely the property owner or occupier. An “occupier” is a person who has responsibility for and control over the condition of the property or the activities carried thereon. Examples of occupiers can include:
- Property owners
- Business managers
- Landlords
- Property managers
- Tenants
- And more
An occupier’s legal responsibilities to the safety of other people on their premises are outlined in the British Columbia Occupiers Liability Act. According to this legislation, occupiers have a duty of care to ensure that their property is safe for visitors. They must take reasonable care to adequately address maintenance hazards on their property that they know about or should know about. If they fail to do so and someone is injured as a result, the property’s occupier may be considered negligent.
It is not uncommon for the occupiers of commercial or residential properties to neglect important repairs around their premises. Examples of common maintenance issues that often lead to injury-causing slip and fall accidents include:
- Wet or slippery floors
- Uneven or cracked sidewalks
- Potholes in parking lots
- Poor lighting
- Loose or missing handrails
- Cluttered walkways
- Debris or obstacles on the floor
- And more
While anyone can sustain serious injuries in a slip and fall accident, one particular demographic is most at-risk. Falls are responsible for 85% of hospitalizations for Canada’s senior citizens and 61% of their fatalities.
The damages associated with slip and fall injuries can be significant. Slip and fall accident victims could struggle to afford the costs of medical expenses, lose wages as the result of missed work, suffer from a reduced future earning capability, and incur additional financial losses as the result of a property occupier’s negligence. In severe cases, slip and fall injuries can lead to long-term disabilities that can impact a person’s quality of life for years to come.
How an Abbotsford Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer May Be Able to Help
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. Our Abbotsford slip and fall accident lawyers have a history of helping accident victims in the region by representing their best interests in negotiations with insurance companies and fighting on their behalf in Court when necessary.
Our slip and fall accident lawyers serving Abbotsford appreciate that, in the aftermath of an unexpected accident, you are likely to have many questions. By taking advantage of a free initial consultation with our Abbotsford slip and fall accident lawyers, you could learn about legal courses of action that might be available to you in order to help you recover the compensation you deserve. To learn more, contact us today.
