Cleveland Slip and Fall Lawyers

Cleveland Slip & Fall Accidents

According to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, slip and fall injuries accounted for over 30% of all work-related injuries reported in Cleveland over the last five years. This aligns with national data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which estimates that falls are the leading cause of injury-related emergency room visits across the U.S.

Where Do Slip & Falls Happen?

Slip and fall accidents can occur virtually anywhere. It doesn’t matter whether you are shopping at Constantino’s Market on 1278 W. 9th St. or a new restaurant in the Residential District; slip and fall injuries happen when you least expect them.

Common places in Cleveland where slip and fall injuries occur include:

• Restaurants
• Walkways and sidewalks
• Shopping centers
• Construction sites
• Factories
• Airports
• Parks and rec centers
• Warehouses
• Parking garages
• Stairwells
• Business offices
• Retail businesses
• Government buildings
• Grocery stores
• Private residences
• Entertainment spaces and venues
• Other commercial buildings

Cleveland Slip & Fall Hotspots

While a slip and fall can occur in any setting, certain locations in Cleveland have a higher likelihood of accidents. Whether due to poor maintenance or inadequate safety protocols, these places can become dangerous:

Public parks like Edgewater Park or Wade Oval often experience accidents on walkways due to poor lighting or weather conditions.

• Downtown shopping areas, such as Tower City Center or Heinen’s Downtown Cleveland, where high foot traffic increases the likelihood of slip hazards like spilled liquids or misplaced items.
• Sports and entertainment venues like Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and Progressive Field, where slip and fall injuries may result from wet floors or poorly maintained stairways.
• RTA public transportation stations, where uneven sidewalks, escalators, or wet surfaces can cause unexpected falls.
• Parking garages and lots around areas like Cleveland Clinic, where snow, ice, or poor maintenance frequently contribute to slips

What Causes Slip & Falls in Cleveland?

Slip and fall accidents are commonly caused by property owner negligence. However, they can also be caused by failure to implement robust policies or another party’s recklessness.

Typical reasons for slips, trips, and falls are:

• Snow and Ice Accumulations: Cleveland winters bring hazardous conditions with untreated sidewalks, parking lots, and entryways. Property owners are responsible for ensuring pathways are cleared and safe.
• Uneven or Broken Sidewalks: Many Cleveland neighborhoods, such as Tremont or Shaker Heights, have aging sidewalks that become cracked or uneven, leading to trip hazards.
• Wet Floors: Whether at a restaurant, retail store, or grocery market, spills or wet floors need to be addressed immediately by staff to prevent accidents.
• Inadequate Lighting: Poorly lit parking lots, stairwells, or entryways in commercial and residential buildings are common causes of falls.
• Poor Maintenance: Failing to repair handrails, fix uneven steps, or clear debris can result in serious accidents.

Cleveland Slip & Fall Injuries

Slip and fall injuries are often more debilitating than people realize. Your injuries can substantially impact whether you tripped in a grocery store or fell at a concert. When this happens, you have the right to take legal action against the liable party.

Some injuries typically seen after a slip and fall include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Often occurring when victims hit their heads on hard surfaces.
• Fractures and Broken Bones: Particularly in the wrists, arms, and hips, especially for elderly victims.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Falls down stairs or onto hard surfaces can lead to long-term spinal damage.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Torn ligaments, strains, and sprains are common after awkward falls.
• Facial Injuries: Broken noses, disfigurement, and dental damage often result from falling face-first onto hard ground.

How to Prove Negligence in a Slip and Fall Case

In Ohio, slip and fall victims must prove that their injury was directly caused by the property owner’s negligence. This means showing that:

• The property owner owed you a duty of care, such as maintaining safe conditions.
• They breached that duty by failing to address a hazardous condition, such as not clearing ice from a sidewalk or leaving a spill unattended.
• The breach directly caused your fall and resulting injuries.
• You suffered damages, including medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall in Cleveland

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall, the actions you take immediately after the accident can impact your case. Follow these steps:

• Seek medical attention right away to document your injuries.
• Report the accident to the property owner or manager, and request a copy of the incident report.
• Take photos of the scene, the hazard that caused your fall, and your injuries.
• Get witness information from anyone who saw the accident.
• Contact KNR for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.

Filing a Slip & Fall Claim Benefits You

It can be intimidating to think about pursuing an insurance claim or a civil lawsuit against the party responsible for your fall. It doesn’t matter whether you fell due to a broken stair rail, tripped over cracked pavement, or slipped on a wet floor. If negligence caused your injuries, they must be held accountable.

The claims process can vary case by case. However, generally, you can expect the following after a slip and fall:

• Your lawyer to open up an investigation to establish liability and gather valuable evidence to prove fault.
• Your attorney will determine whether you can file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurer.
• Your lawyer will negotiate to secure a fair and full settlement or bring your case to court if the liable party refuses to accept responsibility.

Ohio’s Comparative Negligence Law in Slip & Falls

Ohio’s comparative negligence rule means that if you are partially responsible for your slip and fall, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 20% responsible, your compensation would be reduced by 20%. If you’re more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover any compensation.

This is why it’s important to have an experienced Cleveland slip and fall attorney by your side to minimize claims of comparative fault and maximize your recovery.

The Defenses Property Owners Use (and How KNR Counters Them)

Property owners often try to avoid liability by claiming that the dangerous condition was “open and obvious”, meaning you should have been able to see and avoid the hazard.

Other defenses include blaming the victim’s carelessness or claiming they didn’t know about the danger. KNR counters these defenses by:

• Gather surveillance footage or witness statements showing that the property owner had ample time to address the hazard.
• Work with experts who can demonstrate that the hazard wasn’t as “obvious” as the defense claims.
• Prove prior knowledge of the dangerous condition through past complaints or maintenance records.

Cleveland Slip and Fall FAQs

Our Cleveland Legal Team Will:

• Investigate, collect evidence, and find those at fault for your accident.
• Interview witnesses, medical professionals, and experts to show how your life was impacted.
• Communicate with the insurer, clarify liability, and pursue max compensation.
• Determine your accident’s full and fair value – what you lost and deserve.
• Keep you informed and involved. KNR is available by phone, text, email, or Zoom.
• Protect your rights and, if necessary, take your case to court.
• Never charge you upfront. If there’s no recovery, there’s no cost.

It is more than likely that the liable party will do whatever they can to reduce their financial obligation to you. For this reason, it is essential to retain the guidance and support of experienced attorneys who can help ensure you are compensated fairly for your suffering.

Schedule a Free Consult with KNR