Falls are among the leading causes of emergency department visits in the United States, with more than one million visits each year associated with slip-and-fall incidents. Victims often suffer hip fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, and other conditions requiring extensive treatment. Gary C. Johnson, P.S.C. has issued new educational guidance to help Kentucky residents understand their rights after preventable falls, emphasizing that preserving evidence early can significantly impact a premises liability claim.
Common causes of slip-and-fall accidents include wet floors, uneven sidewalks, loose flooring, inadequate lighting, cluttered walkways, and icy entrances. Property owners of grocery stores, restaurants, apartment complexes, and other establishments generally have a duty to maintain reasonably safe premises. However, a fall does not automatically establish legal liability. An injured person may have grounds for compensation if the property owner knew or should have known about a dangerous condition and failed to address it or provide adequate warning.
The firm recommends victims seek medical attention promptly, report the incident, photograph the scene, preserve footwear and clothing, obtain witness information, request an incident report, and avoid giving recorded statements before understanding their legal rights. Surveillance footage and maintenance records can disappear quickly if action is delayed, making early investigation critical.
Gary C. Johnson, P.S.C. has represented injured Kentuckians for more than four decades and recovered over $300 million for clients. The firm handles slip-and-fall and premises liability cases, automobile and trucking accidents, wrongful death claims, and other serious injury matters throughout Eastern and Central Kentucky, including Pikeville, Lexington, Hazard, and surrounding communities. For more information, visit https://garycjohnson.com.
