When indoor surfaces become dirty, a bit of elbow grease and the right cleanser will usually take care of the problem. But that may not be the right solution when there is ingrained dirt, mud, and grime on outdoor surfaces, like houses and buildings. That’s where power washing comes in, with its ability to blast off contaminants through the usage of pressurized water or steam.
Power washing is often used by store owners to clean their brick and concrete surfaces. The water that pours off the surface and ends up on the ground is not something we pay attention to – until there’s an accident that results in serious injuries.
Were you or someone you know involved in a slip and fall accident on the street that was caused by power washing? Businesses must take certain precautions to safeguard the public when they are engaging in potentially dangerous activities. If the owner was negligent in their duty of care to the public and you slipped and fell down as a result, you may have grounds to sue them for monetary compensation.
The fall accident injury lawyers at our office can educate you on your rights as an accident victim. Contact us at your earliest convenience and schedule a free consultation.
Property Owner Liability for Power Washing without Working Signs
Power washing is a service that’s often used by businesses to clean many areas of their property. Sometimes, store owners opt for pressure washing versus power washing. What’s the difference? Power washing uses water that’s turned into hot, pressurized steam, whereas pressure washing involves highly pressurized water that is not turned into steam.
Of course, both cleaning methods involve large amounts of water and moisture, which can end up on streets and sidewalks. The question is: are store owners liable for a slip and fall on the street caused by power washing?
To answer that question, let’s examine the concept of premises liability, i.e., the responsibility store owners have to prevent injuries to people on their property. For example, store owners and their workers must take care of hazardous situations, like ice in the parking lot, which is a leading cause of outdoor slip and fall accidents. But what is the owner is performing a necessary action, like power washing the side of a building?
In these situations, the owner cannot prevent water from ending up on the ground. Still, they have an obligation to put up working signs and warn the public of a dangerous condition. What do these signs look like? They usually come in one of two formats:
- Brightly colored sandwich board sign that can be weighed down with sand. Sign should display a clear warning message, like “Caution: Pressure Washing in Progress.”
- OSHA-format signs that say, “NOTICE CLEANING IN PROGRESS,” which can be used indoors or outdoors.
Without these signs in place, it’s likely that people will walk through an area that’s slippery from steam of water. A slip and fall on concrete, asphalt, and other outdoor surfaces can cause many serious injuries, including brain damage, broken bones, deep cuts, joint dislocation, and hip fracture.
Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer for a Slip and Fall Lawsuit?
Ultimately, this is a question that you’ll need to answer for yourself. But you should make an informed decision, which you can only do by learning about the advantages of legal representation if you are entitled to compensation as a slip and fall injury victim. That’s why we offer free case evaluation at our office, where you can discuss your rights with an experienced slip and fall lawsuit attorney. No matter what you decide, we are grateful for the opportunity to provide you with advice on your legal options.
How Much will I Receive from a Lawsuit against the Property Owner?
From our record of cases involving fall accident injuries, we know that slip and falls result in significant monetary losses to the victim and their loved ones. This is particularly true if you end up with lifelong injuries, like nerve damage and spinal cord injury. The majority of payments recovered by our attorneys fall within $125,000 to $2,000,000, which is based on the sum of all available damages (medical costs, lost income, mental anguish, pain and suffering, etc.). Please keep in mind that victims who represent themselves in a slip and fall accident claim typically receive around $10,000 to $50,000 – much less than the estimated settlement range for clients with legal representation.
What is the Deadline to Sue for a Slip and Fall Accident?
Starting from the date of your accident, you generally have 2 years to file a legal action for a slip and fall injury that was caused by negligence. Depending on your circumstances, the courts may grant you additional time to file a lawsuit. But these are rare and exceptional cases, meaning it’s best to contact a lawyer immediately, who can assist you with a slip and fall injury claim. Should you wait too long and miss the deadline for a lawsuit against the store owner, your right to compensation will be invalidated. Don’t take the chance of losing your right to monetary damages; contact Normandie Law Firm and schedule a free case review.
What is the Estimated Time Frame to Settle these Cases?
The timeline to resolve a fall accident injury case depends on various factors, including the amount you are asking for, the type of entity you are suing, and the act of negligence that led to your accident. Injury claims against a commercial property owner usually take at least 6 months, though it can sometimes take over 1 year to negotiate a favorable settlement. A lawsuit is not always necessary, as many claims are settled privately between attorneys and the property owner’s insurance company. If filing a lawsuit becomes necessary, the entire process of recovering your payment may be around two or more years.
Free Second Opinion on Active Slip and Fall Claims
Do you have a lawyer that’s representing you on a slip and fall claim, but you believe that your case is headed in the wrong direction? Does it seem like you’re constantly butting heads with your lawyer over important decisions, like agreeing to a settlement or taking your chances in court? We want to assure you that you are never stuck with an attorney you’re unhappy with, even if you have an active lawsuit. But it’s important to consider all your available options and make a decision that feels right to you. This is the reason we offer second opinions at our law firm.
By giving us a call, you can receive a free second opinion on your lawsuit for a slip and fall. There is no pressure to continue your lawsuit with us, as that may not be in your best interest. As this is a completely free service, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at our law firm.
Contact the Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys of Normandie
Falling down when you least expect it can be pretty embarrassing when you’re in public, and as a result, many people try to deny that they’re injured and leave the accident scene as soon as possible. But the pain and debilitating effects of a slip and fall are very serious, which is proven by the millions of people that end up in emergency rooms every year from a fall-related injury.
The personal injury lawyers of Normandie are here to listen if negligence by a store owner caused you to slip and fall down. Our methods are based on decades of experience in store owner liability claims against small businesses and corporation retailers throughout California. Best of all, you can hire us at no upfront cost, since all legal fees are charged to the store owner. Your settlement check includes the cost of our services, which means winning your case is the only way we get paid.
For a free consultation on your rights and legal options, contact us and ask to speak to a lawyer with experience in slip and fall injury accident cases.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Car Wash Slip and Fall / Injuries
Slip and Fall on Street Due to Soapy Water from a Business Injury Case
Raley’s Supermarket Slip And Fall Accident Lawyer
