Can Inadequate Lighting Cause a Slip and Fall Accident?
At night or in dark spaces, inadequate lighting plays a role in many slip and fall accidents. If the area were properly lit, it is unlikely the person would have slipped and injured themselves. Poor lighting hides conditions that are not hazardous when well-lit or conceals the presence of a possibly dangerous environment.
Slip and fall accidents due to inadequate lighting can cause serious injury, disability, and even death. Because of property owner negligence, the accident victim may incur sizable medical bills, lose time from work, or prove unable to continue working in their current job.
A Los Angeles slip and fall lawyer at Ellis Injury Law will investigate the circumstances of your claim and help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injury.
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Inadequate lighting
In a personal injury lawsuit, the plaintiff must provide evidence that inadequate lighting was a major cause for the slip and fall, and that the property owner was negligent in failing to maintain or provide sufficient lighting.
In California, the challenge in winning a slip and fall case caused by inadequate lighting is proving the property owner knew of the poor lighting conditions and did nothing to ameliorate the situation. Slip and fall lawyers must show the owner was aware of the state of the lighting, or should have been, and failed to remedy it.
Parking lots
Badly lit parking lots result in numerous slip and fall accidents. While lack of maintenance may contribute to the poor lighting, often the problem lies with the design of the lot. Some parking lots simply do not contain adequate lighting for their size or shape.
Because of the poor lighting, pedestrians cannot see holes in the pavement or unevenness. They may trip over a curb or step leading from the parking lot to a place of business.
Stairs and stairwells
Lack of sufficient lighting on stairs and in stairwells can cause severe injuries, especially if the person falls down the flight of stairs. They may end up with fractures, brain injuries, or spinal cord damage.
Stair and stairwell lighting issues often concern maintenance. The owner or management simply does not repair burned-out or broken bulbs in a timely manner, making every trip up or down the stairs potentially threatening.
What to do after a slip and fall
If physically able, start documenting the evidence surrounding your slip and fall immediately. Take photos and videos of the scene, including the object on which you tripped. If the lighting is inadequate, the darkness of the photos should confirm this. Just make sure the camera’s flash is not on when taking pictures.
Report the slip and fall to the site’s owner or management. If the accident occurred in a store or business, obtain a copy of the report. If filling out an accident form, take a photo of it before submission. Getting the incident on record is crucial to your claim.
Always go to the emergency room or an urgent care center right away. If necessary, call 911. Failure to do so can harm your claim. The property owner’s insurance company will allege that your injuries were not caused by the slip and fall if you do not seek medical attention promptly.
Slip and fall damages
Damages, or compensation, in a slip and fall accident may include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future income
- Pain and suffering
A slip & fall attorney knows a reasonable settlement amount for the type of injuries a client suffers and will fight aggressively with the insurance company on the client’s behalf. If the insurance carrier refuses to settle, the matter may end up in litigation.
Contact a Los Angeles slip and fall attorney
If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a slip and fall accident caused by a property owner’s failure to provide adequate lighting, you need the services of an experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer at Ellis Injury Law. Submit our online form or call or text 24/7 to schedule a free consultation.
After evaluating your claim, we will discuss your options and whether you have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. Because our dedicated lawyers work on a contingency basis, you do not pay a fee unless you receive compensation.