A fall that occurs on someone else’s property is known as a slip and fall accident, and in many cases the property owner can be held liable for any injuries sustained in this type of accident. Many slip and fall accidents are caused by wet floors, defective stairs, or torn carpeting. But, one of the lesser known causes of these accidents is inadequate lighting. Here’s what you need to know about inadequate lighting and slip and falls:
What is Inadequate Lighting?
Inadequate lighting conditions exist when the areas of a property that visitors are often on are not clearly lit at night. Sometimes, this is a result of a poor design. For instance, a parking lot may not have been designed with enough lights to light the entire area. It could also be a result of a failure to maintain the property if the problem is that the light bulbs have not been replaced or repaired.
How Inadequate Lighting Leads to Slip and Falls
If a person cannot see clearly, it is incredibly difficult to avoid hazards that may be in their path. For example, a person walking through a parking lot will need adequate lighting in order to know where the sidewalk ends or where parking lot curbs are located. Without lighting, he may run into a curb or take a tumble off of the edge of the sidewalk.
When is the Property Owner Liable?
The premises liability law states that property owners must maintain safe conditions on their properties in order to protect their visitors from harm. But, a property owner will not necessarily be held liable for every accident on his property that is caused by inadequate lighting. In order to prove liability, the plaintiff must be able to show one of the following:
- The property owner (or his employee) is responsible for the inadequate lighting
- The property owner (or his employee) knew that there was inadequate lighting
- The property owner (or his employee) should have known there was inadequate lighting because a reasonable property owner would have known about this issue.
If the plaintiff cannot prove one of the above conditions, the property owner will not be ordered to compensate you for your injuries.
Proving liability in inadequate lighting cases can be challenging, which is why you will need help from an experienced personal injury attorney. If you have been injured in a slip and fall, contact Reisch Law Firm today so we can begin gathering evidence to prove your case. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 303-291-0555 or filling out this online form.
