Property owners in West Virginia and throughout the country should understand how to minimize the possibility of slips, falls and other accidents. Doing so can minimize the chance of a lawsuit or a property owner’s insurance rates going up. In some cases, insurance providers may cancel a policy after a single incident. One way to prevent potentially dangerous conditions is to perform maintenance tasks before a shop, warehouse or storage facility is open for the day.
For example, it may be best to mop the floors after the facility closes so that they won’t be wet. If the floors are wet during the day for any reason, management should put up signs that warn guests of the potentially dangerous condition. Signs should also be posted if a carpet is torn, if debris is present in a given area or if items could potentially fall from a higher location.
Ideally, a company will hire someone to keep sidewalks and parking lots clear of snow and ice. This can prevent the chances of a slip or fall before someone even enters the building. Employees should be trained to spot hazards and to mitigate them in a timely manner. They should also be trained to properly complete any maintenance task that they engage in.
Those who are hurt on a property that they don’t own may be interested in filing a premises liability lawsuit. If a negligence claim is successful, an injured person could be entitled to various forms of compensation. This may help to pay medical bills or make up for lost wages and future earnings related to the accident. An attorney may use witness statements, maintenance records or pictures from the accident scene to help a client show that negligence caused the injuries.
