Columbus Slip-and-Fall Lawyer
When you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall and aren’t sure what your next steps should be, get in touch with a qualified slip-and-fall lawyer in Columbus for help.
Slip-and-fall injuries can be far more severe than most people realize. But the impact of these injuries can be long-lasting and life-changing. When this happens, the party responsible for your injuries should be compelled to cover your losses in full. But you may feel intimidated at the thought of moving forward with a Columbus personal injury lawsuit, especially when you are still in the throes of your recovery.
Fortunately, a highly experienced Columbus slip-and-fall lawyer at Rafidi, Pallante & Melewski LLC could help you get the most out of your claim. With our firm by your side, you’ll have the legal representation you need to bring the irresponsible party to justice.
Who Is at Fault for Your Columbus Slip-and-Fall Accident?
The owner of the property on which your slip-and-fall occurred will nearly always be responsible for any injuries that occurred on their property. This because property owners have an obligation to ensure their property is safe for invited guests and patrons.
This applies to both private residences, public buildings, and businesses. If the property is not safe in some way, and the property owner is still allowing guests to be on the property, the hazard should be clearly marked so the guest or patron can avoid the area.
You’ve probably been to a restaurant and noticed a yellow wet-floor sign while a staff member is mopping. This is not only to protect guests from falling by warning them of the wet floor, but also to protect the company from potential slip-and-fall lawsuits.
Your slip-and-fall lawyer in Columbus will be able to give you a better idea of who may be ultimately responsible for your injuries after carefully examining the circumstances of your case.
Exceptions to Columbus Property Owner Liability
Property owners may have a duty to maintain safe premises, but there are always exceptions to the rule. For example, under Ohio law, property owners can be held accountable only for injuries of invited guests and patrons.
This means that if someone is trespassing, committing a crime like breaking in, or otherwise should not be on the property to begin with, the property owner can not be compelled to cover the injury victim’s losses.
Another exception is known as the open and obvious doctrine. Here, if a hazard is, or should have been, out in the open and obvious to an invited guest, the Columbus property owner could avoid liability.
The example above of the restaurant using a wet floor sign is also a good example of the open and obvious doctrine. The wet floor sign clearly indicates the floor may not be safe, so if the guest proceeded anyway, that was their own responsibility, not the property owner’s.
Speak with a Slip-and-Fall Lawyer in Columbus
To learn more about how a dedicated Columbus slip-and-fall lawyer at Rafidi, Pallante & Melewski LLC could help you with your civil claim, give our office a call at 1-866-494-5387. You can also reach us through the quick contact form provided below to schedule a free claim review.