Every year in Hawaii and the continental United States, thousands of people are injured in public places as a result of falls. Things such as wet floors, uneven ground, defective stairs or tools left lying on the ground can cause visitors to lose their footing and fall. Legally, it is the responsibility of property owners to eliminate hazardous conditions and provide a safe environment for visitors. Victims may file a premises liability claim when injuries occur due to property or business owners failing to remove hazards or repair dangerous surfaces.
In another state, a man claimed he suffered injuries from a fall in a McDonald’s parking lot, and he filed a lawsuit. According to the lawsuit, the man visited the restaurant and was walking through the parking lot. Allegedly, the man slipped and fell in the parking lot on what he called an unnatural accumulation of snow and ice.
The man claims that his fall resulted in injuries to his back and shoulder. He holds the owners of the restaurant responsible and claims that they were negligent in the maintenance of the parking lot, which resulted in unsafe conditions. The plaintiff seeks damages in excess of $50,000 in the lawsuit.
Although accidents can happen at any time, some accidents may be prevented by taking simple precautions such as removing hazards or repairing stairs and walkways. Hawaii residents who suffer injuries as a result of property owner negligence may have grounds to file a premises liability lawsuit. Damages awarded from a successfully litigated lawsuit could provide much-needed financial help for victims facing mounting medical expenses.
