Though most public areas conform to the highest safety standards, occasionally a poorly maintained road, pavement, or shopping mall can become the cause for personal injury. One could trip on a warped road, pavement, or car park. You could also slip on dangerously polished floors, fall down poorly maintained stairs, or trip over worn floor coverings. In the case of slips in public areas like roads and pavements, the local authorities responsible for their upkeep can be held liable if negligence is established. The authorities are expected to frequently inspect and maintain, especially in areas of high traffic. Shops of other similar public places are duty-bound to keep the premises safe for their customers. They are required to locate and remove items customers might have dropped on the floor in order to prevent injury to others.

If you should sustain injuries after taking a fall or slipping in another person’s home, you are entitled to compensation if it was the result of the occupier negligence. It is the occupier’s responsibility to keep the house safe by picking dropped objects like toys off the floor and wiping off spilt liquids so that no one is hurt. Slips and falls are also common in the workplace and liability in such cases rests with the employer. When a slip claim is filed, the law takes into consideration whether the owner/caretaker of the premises where the accident occurred takes “reasonable” care of the property. Reasonableness here relates to regular inspection and maintenance. The claimant will also be questioned about whether he/she was distracted at the time of the accident or was careless in any way that might have led to the slip, trip or fall. One is expected to watch where he/she is going. If there were warnings of hazards that went unheeded or if the claimant was careless, the claim will fail.