Preventing Slip and Fall Accidents at Your Opelika Business

Slip and fall accidents are the second-leading cause of death from unintentional injuries in the United States. Many of these falls occur at businesses due to hazards such as spilled liquids, slippery surfaces, or loose objects on the floor. If you’re an Opelika business owner, knowing how to avoid slip and fall accidents can help you keep your customers safe. Likewise, customers who suffer slip and fall injuries at Opelika businesses should contact a slip and fall accident attorney in Alabama to understand their rights and the compensation they may be entitled to recover in a slip and fall case.

What Businesses See the Most Slip and Falls?

Slip and fall accidents can and do happen at all kinds of Opelika businesses, but some businesses where these accidents occur more often include:

• Grocery stores and supermarkets – Hazards such as spilled liquids, leaking freezers, and freshly mopped floors often cause grocery store customers to slip and fall. Visitors might also trip and fall while walking through aisles cluttered with boxes during restocking.
• Restaurants and fast food chains – Food and drink spills, grease near the kitchen, and wet floors near restrooms can all cause slip and falls at bars and restaurants. High foot traffic increases the risk of a fall if staff don’t clean spills quickly.
• Retail stores and shopping malls – Water tracked in from outside and unsecured floor mats can make walking through malls, department stores, and similar businesses extremely dangerous, particularly during rainy weather or holiday crowds. Visitors might also fall by slipping or tripping on merchandise or boxes left in walkways.
• Hotels and resorts – Wet pool decks, slippery bathroom floors, poorly lit stairways, and dim hallways can put guests at risk as they navigate these establishments. Lobbies and entryways may also become slippery when staff polish floors or visitors track in moisture from outside.
• Gas stations and convenience stores – Fuel spills, oil slicks, and wet pavement near pumps frequently cause falls at these businesses. Inside, spilled drinks or cleaning products can make tile floors dangerous.
• Gyms and fitness centers – Pools of sweat and wet locker room floors can cause severe falls at gyms. Improperly stored equipment or spilled drinks can also cause visitors to fall.
• Office buildings and commercial complexes – Poorly maintained flooring, loose rugs, and inadequate lighting in stairwells or hallways often cause falls in these settings.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Many slip and fall accidents occur because of preventable or fixable hazards, such as:

• Wet or slippery floors
• Uneven surfaces
• Poor lighting
• Exposed electrical cords
• Obstructed walkways
• Broken or missing handrails
• Worn-out or loose floor coverings

Legal Responsibility for Business Owners in Alabama

Under Alabama premises liability law, businesses are required to protect most visitors from dangers on their property that could cause them to fall. However, the level of care a property owner or business owes to a visitor depends on the nature of the visit and whether the visitor has permission to be on the property.

The law divides visitors into three categories, each of which has a different level of expected care from a business or property owner:

• Invitees – An invitee is someone a property owner or business has invited onto the premises (explicitly or implicitly) for a commercial purpose. Most customers at a store or restaurant are invitees under Alabama law. Property owners and businesses owe the highest level of care to invitees. They must warn invitees of known hazards on the grounds and regularly inspect the premises for new dangers that could cause a slip and fall or other accident.
• Licensees – A licensee is an individual who visits a property with permission to be there, but they are not on the premises for a business purpose. An example of a licensee at a business might be someone who visits the owner for a social purpose but isn’t there to shop. Businesses and property owners must warn licensees of known hazards that may cause a slip and fall, but they are not required to continually check for new dangers that may arise.
• Trespassers – Trespassers are people who visit a business without the owner’s permission. Property owners owe a minimal level of care to trespassers, but they must take minimal precautions to prevent some accidents. For example, Section 6-5-345 of the Alabama Code provides that businesses and property owners cannot cause “wanton or intentional” injuries to trespassers. Property owners and businesses must also prevent children from accessing the property so they aren’t harmed by hazards. Children may be tempted by an ”attractive nuisance,” such as an open, unfilled swimming pool, so they may trespass and fall in.

Furthermore, the fact that an invitee, licensee, or trespasser suffers an injury in a fall does not automatically make the business or property owner liable in a slip and fall claim. To recover compensation, the visitor usually must prove that the business or property knew or reasonably should have known about the hazard and didn’t fix it or warn the visitor about the danger. These legal standards provide some accountability for businesses toward their guests while also protecting them from frivolous legal claims.

Prevention Strategies to Keep Customers Safe

Businesses and property owners should be proactive in ensuring visitor safety to prevent falls and potentially avoid costly legal battles. If you are a business owner, here are a few strategies you can implement to keep your customers safe:

• Clean up spills immediately – Train your staff to respond quickly to liquid spills or debris on the floor and post warning signs while areas are still drying.
• Install non-slip mats and rugs – Place slip-resistant mats at entrances, restrooms, and other areas prone to wetness, particularly during winter. Make sure the mats lie flat and securely to prevent curling, which can increase the likelihood of falls.
• Maintain proper lighting – Keep hallways, stairwells, and exterior walkways well-lit so customers can see where they’re walking and avoid hidden dangers.
• Repair flooring promptly – Fix loose tiles, torn carpets, uneven surfaces, or cracked sidewalks as soon as problems arise to prevent visitors from slipping or tripping.
• Keep walkways clear – Avoid clutter in aisles, and make sure that merchandise, equipment, and cords don’t block customer pathways.
• Install and maintain sturdy handrails – Provide secure handrails along all staircases and ramps to give customers extra support and balance.

Training Staff to Prevent and Respond to Falls

Proper staff training is essential for preventing falls and responding quickly when they occur. Train your staff to take the following steps if someone falls in your business:

Check on the customer immediately

Have your staff approach the customer calmly and ask if they are okay. If the customer appears injured, staff should call for medical assistance immediately and avoid moving them or helping them up unless it’s necessary for safety.

Notify a manager or supervisor

Staff should report the incident to the appropriate person in charge so they can begin documenting what happened and take control of the situation.

Document the scene

Take photos of the area where the fall occurred, including any hazards, lighting conditions, and warning signs. Note the time, date, and conditions at the time of the incident.

Collect witness information

Staff should get the names and contact details of anyone who saw the fall.

Complete an incident report

Ask any staff who saw the incident to write a detailed account of what occurred while it’s still fresh. They should include all relevant facts without offering opinions or speculation.

Secure the area

Finally, address any hazards right away to prevent further injuries. Use signs or barriers to keep other customers away from the fall site and nearby dangers.

Legal Options for Injured Customers

Customers who suffer injuries in a business slip and fall can file a personal injury claim against the business or the property owner. If the customer can prove the business or property owner is liable for their injuries, they can demand compensation for their injuries, medical expenses, lost income, and other harm they’ve suffered. Customers who can’t reach a settlement agreement with a liable business or property owner can take their case to court and let a judge or jury decide the issue.

Contact Our Slip and Fall Attorneys in Opelika, AL, to Learn More

Negligent property owners can be held liable for injuries that happen on their properties. Through a personal injury lawsuit, an injured patron can pursue compensation for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and other related losses. If you suffered injuries in a fall, the Opelika personal injury attorneys at Stokes Stemle, LLC can protect your rights and handle the legal process, allowing you to focus on your recovery. Call now or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation with a slip and fall lawyer.