Purell dispensers are a common sight in public places like hospitals, libraries, schools, office buildings, hotels, and grocery stores. While hand sanitizer stations have always been around, they became more of a fixture during and after the COVID pandemic. At this point, most of us don’t think twice about squirting a dollop of hand sanitizer onto our hands upon entering or leaving a public place.
There’s no denying the importance of sanitizing our hands as much as possible, as it’s an easy way to spread the transmission of countless viruses. However, what if a hand sanitizer dispensing unit is the cause of serious harm to your health? This can happen if there is a problem with the dispenser where too much sanitizer is released. In this situation, the substance ends up the floor, where it can build up quickly depending on how often people use the dispenser. As a result, there is an increased risk of someone being injured from slipping on the wet floor.
So, who is at fault when there is a problem with a hand sanitizing station that results in an accident? If you are fell down from hand sanitizer liquid or gel that was on the floor, can you file a claim for monetary damages?
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Who can I Sue for my Injuries?
This is a complicated issue when it comes to hand sanitizer defects causing slip and fall injuries. Generally, slip and fall cases fall under the category of premises liability, which has to do with a property owner’s duty to maintain safe conditions in their home, building, yard, parking lot, etc. We can all agree that a hand sanitizer dispenser that releases too much liquid has the potential to cause a slip and fall. So, it would seem like the property owner is responsible in the event of an accident, as they failed to clean up the product on the floor.
However, things may not be that simple when it comes to a Purell dispenser defect. It’s a known fact that a lot of these machines have design flaws that cause too much fluid to be dispensed from the unit. This can cause fluid to drip onto the floor, either from the machine or from the person’s hands, resulting in falls. But even if the spillage is from the hands of the user, it’s clear that the source of the problem is the dispenser releasing a high volume of the anti-bacterial product.
Now, the manufacturer will generally argue that if there was a defect, the property owner could have contacted them or the seller to ask for a refund, replacement product, etc. In addition, they will probably say that the business / property owner had notice of the product on the floor, or they would have if they were cleaning and maintaining the premises on a regular basis.
Again, we come back to the issue of premises liability and how an owner has a duty to resolve hazards on their property. However, this does not necessarily absolve the manufacturer of problems with a product that occurred while the items were still in their possession. If an item was sold with a provable defect which has the potential to cause injury, it may be the manufacturer who is sued in the event someone is injured. And with a hand sanitizing dispenser, it’s obvious that if the device shoots out a lot of product, it will increase the likelihood of a fall.
Determining liability for a slip and fall can be rather complicated when both a property owner and product manufacture may be at fault. It’s essential to have your case investigated by a fall accident attorney, who can go after the right entity and secure maximum payment for your injuries.
Injuries Caused by Slip and Falls
Those who slip and fall due to a slippery substance on the floor can easily end up with serious injuries that take weeks, months, or even years to heal. Some people sustain permanent damage to one or more parts of their body, meaning that health and ability to engage in daily tasks is compromised for the rest of their lives. Common slip and fall injuries include:
- Head trauma, leading to brain injury
- Hip fracture of dislocation
- Torn muscles, ligaments and tendons
- Fractured tailbone
- Spinal cord damage
- Whiplash
- Wrist or ankle sprain
- Broken bones, particularly in the arms and legs
- Dental damage (broken teeth, jaw dislocation, etc.)
- Chronic pain
How Much can I Get from a Slip and Fall Claim?
Because these accidents often cause serious injury, the majority of clients at our law firm receive anywhere from $125,000 to $2,000,000 for a slip and fall lawsuit. This is solely an average range of values, so your own claim may result in a lower or higher payment. Cases where the victim’s injuries are relatively minor will likely settle for less than $50,000, while slip and falls resulting in permanent disability may be worth more than $3,000,000. We urge you to contact us right away so that a slip and fall lawyer can help you with all your questions, including “What is the amount of compensation I can receive if I fell down from slipping on hand sanitizer?”
How Long You have to Sue for a Slip and Fall
Those who are injured in a fall accident have 2 years following the date of the accident if they wish to file a claim. The statute of limitations, i.e., how long you have to file a lawsuit, is a legal requirement imposed by the court system. So, if you don’t initiate an accident claim within in that time, the courts will generally take away your right to any form of compensation.
There is an exception for public entities that are liable for someone else’s injuries. These include public schools, government agency buildings, and properties managed by a city, county, or state government (public parks and beaches, for example). If you are suing the government for a slip and fall, you must file a claim with the applicable office within 6 months of the accident. For the most part, each government entity has its own claims forms and procedures for how to submit the claim. Government accident claims are very complicated, so please be sure to contact an experienced slip and fall injury lawyer.
Without payment to cover your medical bills and other monetary losses, it will be very difficult to recover from a slip and fall accident and move forward with your life. We can ensure that your lawsuit is filed by the 2-year deadline, so please give us a call as soon as possible.
Talk to an Experienced Slip and Fall Lawyer
Finding an experienced slip and fall attorney is crucial for those who were injured by negligent conditions on someone else’s property. That’s why we invite you to contact us right away and talk to a lawyer who can sue for a slip and fall due to a defective Purell dispenser.
As one of our clients, you never have to worry about paying for the cost of legal services. The Zero Fee Guarantee here at Normandie Law Firm allows you to hire a fall injury lawyer for $0. At the end of your case, we receive a percentage of the payment you receive from the negligent party. In short, obtaining your settlement from a successful lawsuit is the only way we get paid.
If you’re ready to learn about the legal options that are available to you, schedule a free case review by contacting our office.
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Hand Sanitizer Slip and Fall
