It is a sad fact that on too many occasions, when an individual has an accident in a building or office which is open to the public, more often than not the natural reaction is one of uncontrollable panic and embarrassment – it is not enough that you have slipped over on the floor, but when it’s in front of everyone as well! It is important to understand however that it is at this point where you are at your most vulnerable; as such it is not uncommon for people to just want to forget about the situation and move on as quickly as possible.
In light of this, I cannot stress enough that this is the wrong decision to take, if you are ever unfortunate enough to suffer an injury either at work or in a public building as a result of slipping on some poorly maintained surface or flooring which is a direct result of the occupier or employers negligence. You may very well be able to claim for personal injury and your losses which, although may never be able to fully make up for the embarrassment a fall brings, will certainly hope to bring a quiet sense of justice and satisfaction for you.
It is important to realise that establishments such as supermarkets and public houses are all under a legal obligation to ensure for their patrons that their time spent in their establishment is not only a pleasant one, but also one that is safe and without negative consequence. Because of this, it is considered a legal requirement that regular inspections regarding the entirety of the establishment are carried out as and when required, providing assurances that any potential defects or hazards are dealt with as swiftly and efficiently as possible to ensure that visitor accidents are always kept to a minimum; therefore protecting the appropriate occupiers from any legal repercussions.
In furtherance to this, and in a similar vein, employers too are under a legal obligation to provide for their employees working conditions which are safe and free from reasonable danger and hazard. It is the role of the employer to ensure to an objectively reasonable standard that any surfaces within the workplace are at all times suitable to walk on by colleagues – cornering off where necessary any unsuitable areas with appropriate warning signs and deterrents.
Failure to adhere to the above precautions will render the employer vulnerable to substantial legal ramifications should an accident be established as a sole cause to this initial negligence. In light of this, if you have been the subject of an accident at work or otherwise and you believe that your employer or an occupier failed to provide adequate warning or deterrent for the prevention of injury, there is a high possibility that you may be able to claim damages for physical injury and is so you should call The Injury Lawyers as soon as possible where we can hope to be of assistance to you.
