While many enjoy the vibrant colors of the autumn landscape, all those beautifully colored leaves must fall. Wet leaves can become as slippery as an icy pond while piles of leaves can hide hidden dangers, such as uneven sidewalks, potholes, and wheel stops in parking lots. Injuries from slip and falls on autumn leaves can result in serious injuries requiring long recovery periods and lost wages.
Who is Liable in a Slip and Fall Accident from Autumn Leaves?
Autumn leaves can be overwhelming to keep under control. Just when you think you cleared your property, a windy day can bring more leaves that cover your lawn, sidewalk, and steps. When someone falls and is injured on your property, you can be held liable if you fail to properly maintain it. Clearing leaves from sidewalks, driveways, steps, and curbs is the responsibility of the home or business owner. Failure to keep up with clearing leaves on your property can result in liability for the injuries of those who slip and fall.
When individuals are injured in a slip and fall accident in public places, retail establishments, and entertainment venues, liability falls on the property owner or the proprietor responsible for maintenance of the property. Many people realize the dangers of snow and ice at these establishments, but others may fail to realize how dangerous autumn leaves can be when they get wet or accumulate.
Walkways and parking lots covered in leaves can hide a multitude of dangers. Uneven sidewalks, potholes, wheel stops, debris, rocks and sticks, and icy patches under the leaves can easily cause someone to lose their balance. Sharp objects such as broken glass and metal pieces under the leaves can cause serious injury when victims fall on them.
Homeowners and property owners are responsible to maintain their properties and keep them free from hazards. While making sure every leaf is picked up as soon as it falls is impossible, a realistic effort at maintaining the leaves is required by law. Proving that landscaping crews have worked on the property, visible piles of blown or raked leaves, or reasonable amounts of leaves on the ground can help a property owner prove that they were not negligent in their legal responsibilities.
What to Do If You are Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident
If you are involved in a slip and fall accident, it is important to know what to do to protect your legal rights.
- Attend to your injuries first, then call for emergency medical vehicles, if necessary.
- Alert property owners of the accident.
- Take down witness testimony and personal information of those who saw what happened.
- If possible, take pictures of the accident scene that includes the conditions of the area where you fell and underlying issues that resulted in your fall.
- Keep all records of emergency room visits, hospitalizations, therapies, and prescription medications.
- Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Delaware Personal Injury Lawyers at Rhoades & Morrow Help Victims of Slip and Fall Accidents Claim Compensation
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, call the Delaware personal injury lawyers at Rhoades & Morrow at (302) 427-9500 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today. We will review your case and fight to obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Located in Wilmington, Milford, and Bear, Delaware, we serve clients throughout the state, including the areas of Seaford and Elsmere.
