In a slip and fall action, hazardous steps and stairways may give rise to premises liability and a slip and fall claim. Where a step is improperly constructed or contains a hidden defect of which the owner or possessor of the premises was aware or should have become aware in the exercise of reasonable care for the safety of the customers, an action for slip and fall may be maintained. For instance, the violation of a local ordinance requiring steps or stairs to be equipped with handrails can be considered as evidence of a building owner's negligence in a personal injury action arising when an invitee falls down the steps at the building entrance. A West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer will advise a plaintiff that the fact that a person falls down stairs is not sufficient in itself to give rise to liability.

In any civil action for negligence involving loss, injury, or damage to a business invitee as a result of a transitory foreign object or substance on the premises, in proving that a person or entity in possession or control of the business premises acted negligently by failing to exercise reasonable care, in the maintenance, inspection, repair, warning, or mode of operation of the business premises, actual or constructive notice of the transitory foreign object or substance is not a required element of proof to this claim. However, evidence of notice or lack of notice offered by any party may be considered together with all of the evidence. Therefore, genuine issues of material fact will preclude summary judgment as to whether a plaintiff's fall in a stairwell was the result of his or her own negligence or the negligence of the property owner or occupant.

A cause of action for a slip and fall may have many complex issues. Therefore, you should consult with an experienced West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer. Call Sharmin & Sharmin P.A. at 1-800-74-TRIAL.