Accidents can happen when least expected. Some accidents are minor inconveniences, but some may lead to permanent injuries. In Hawaii, premises liability laws say that property owners are responsible for eliminating potential hazards and creating a safe environment for all visitors lawfully on their properties. Even small items left on floors can turn into dangerous hazards that could possibly be the cause of unfortunate and painful accidents.
A woman in another state filed a lawsuit over claims that she tripped and fell in a store she was visiting. The lawsuit says the woman was visiting a Goodwill store and, while leaving the store, slipped on a clothes hanger that was left on the floor and fell. The woman claims that the fall caused serious injuries to her head, neck, back, limbs and other bodily injuries.
According to the lawsuit, these injuries resulted in the woman becoming sick and disabled. The plaintiff seeks to hold the defendant responsible because, allegedly, the store provided no warning of the potentially hazardous environment and neglected to remove the clothes hanger from the floor. The lawsuit asserts that the defendants neglected their legal obligation to keep the premises in a safe condition. The plaintiff seeks damages of over $50,000 as well as court costs.
Even though this incident happened in a different state, accidents like this can happen any place at any time. Those in Hawaii who suffer an injury due to hazardous conditions created due to the negligence of property and/or business owners have grounds to file a premises liability lawsuit. A successfully litigated lawsuit could result in compensation to help victims get back on their feet.
Source: madisonrecord.com, “Shopper sues over trip, fall at Fairview Heights Goodwill“, Angelica Saylo Pilo, May 9, 2018
