"When I was injured due to inadequate security at a retail center in Columbus, I felt completely lost. This firm quickly stepped in, investigated the facts, and held the property owner accountable for their negligence. They treated my case with dignity and professionalism, securing a settlement that covered my medical bills and lost wages. I highly recommend them for any crime-related injury on someone else's property."
Injury Due to Debris or Obstacle Trip and Fall: Personal Injury Attorneys Protecting the Rights of Individuals throughout The State of Ohio
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Ohio Injury Due to Debris or Obstacle Trip and Fall: Personal Injury Lawyers
Experienced Premise Liability Injury Attorney providing Personal Injury representation involving Debris or Obstacle Trip and Fall Injury throughout the State of Ohio.
Call TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 today to schedule a Free Consultation with on of our Experienced Debris or Obstacle Trip and Fall Personal Injury Attorneys.
Ohio Debris and Obstacle Trip and Fall Attorney: Injured by Clutter in a Walkway?
When a business leaves debris, merchandise, boxes, or electrical wires lying in walkways or aisles, they create a dangerous and completely avoidable trip and fall hazard. These acts of negligence are a direct violation of a business’s duty to maintain a safe environment for customers.
If you suffered a serious injury at an Ohio business because you tripped over an obstacle left in a walkway, our experienced Personal Injury Attorneys are ready to fight for you. We focus on premises liability claims, holding property owners and retailers accountable for their careless maintenance practices.
The Law of Obstacles and Debris in Ohio Walkways
Under Ohio premises liability law, businesses owe a high degree of care to their customers and visitors (invitees). This duty requires them to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition and to warn of hazards that they either know about or should know about.
In cases involving debris or obstacles (like abandoned boxes or trailing wires), proving negligence requires demonstrating that the business had notice of the hazard:
- Actual Notice: A manager or employee saw the obstacle in the walkway but failed to remove it or put up a warning.
- Constructive Notice: The debris or obstacle was left in the walkway for such a length of time that the business, exercising reasonable care through inspections, should have discovered and removed it.
- Creation of Hazard: An employee actively placed the boxes, merchandise, or wires in the path of customers, directly creating the dangerous condition.
Combating the "Open and Obvious" Defense
Business defendants frequently attempt to use the "open and obvious" doctrine to argue that the object (like a stack of boxes or a cable) was visible, and you should have simply avoided it.
However, this defense is often challenged successfully, especially in retail environments:
- Distraction: Retailers strategically use signs, displays, and products designed to catch a customer’s eye and direct their focus away from the floor. This creates attendant circumstances that make the object effectively not open and obvious.
- Sudden Obstruction: Items like wires or small pieces of debris (such as packing materials) can be low to the ground, blend in with the floor, or be difficult to spot when rounding a corner, making them unexpected hazards.
- Violation of Safety Standards: Leaving boxes or equipment in an aisle violates basic safety standards, which reinforces the argument that the business breached its fundamental duty of care.
Key Evidence to Prove Negligence
A successful claim requires immediate action to document the scene and gather crucial evidence, especially since businesses are quick to remove evidence of debris or obstacles:
- Photos/Video: Detailed documentation of the specific item (boxes, wires, merchandise) and its location in the walkway or aisle.
- Surveillance Footage: Obtaining video of the area leading up to the fall to prove how long the obstacle was present (constructive notice) and who placed it there (creation of hazard).
- Employee/Witness Statements: Testimony regarding the business’s policy on clutter and how long the debris was left unattended.
- Internal Safety Rules: Reviewing the business’s internal safety manuals which often explicitly forbid leaving items in customer aisles.
Understanding Ohio's Comparative Fault (R.C. 2315.33)
Be prepared for the defense to argue that you were distracted or partially at fault. Ohio uses a Modified Comparative Negligence standard. This means as long as you are found to be less than 51% at fault, you can still recover damages, though your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. We work diligently to minimize your assigned fault.
Compensation for Trip and Fall Injuries
A fall over an unexpected obstacle can lead to serious injuries, including broken bones, head trauma, and lasting back and neck damage. We are committed to securing maximum compensation for all your losses under Ohio law:
- Medical Expenses: Full coverage for emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care needs.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: Compensation for missed work and any permanent impact on your ability to earn a living.
- Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages for the physical discomfort, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Time is Limited: The statute of limitations in Ohio places a strict time limit (generally two years from the date of injury) to file a personal injury lawsuit. Do not risk losing your right to compensation—contact an attorney immediately.
If you suffered a serious injury from a trip and fall over debris or obstacles left in a walkway at an Ohio business, call our firm today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
Call TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 today to schedule your Free Consultation.
Contact Us Today!
Office:
5000 Arlington Centre Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43220
Call: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297
Contact Us Today!
Office:
5000 Arlington Centre Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43220
Call: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297
What Our Clients Say
After prolonged exposure to toxic mold at my workplace, I started experiencing severe health issues. Proving the connection to the business's negligence felt impossible until I hired this firm. They were brilliant, connecting my health problems to the landlord's failure to address water damage. They gave me my health and my life back by securing a significant settlement. For mold-related injury cases, they are unparalleled."
"My accident at a poorly maintained apartment complex pool in Dayton was terrifying. I suffered a serious head injury. This law firm was incredible; they immediately started investigating the pool's safety records and maintenance log. Their work resulted in a successful claim against the property management. If you've been injured at a pool in Ohio, you want this firm on your side."
"The defective stairs at a restaurant in Toledo caused a significant knee injury. The property owner initially refused to pay, but this firm took on the challenge. They brought in experts to show the code violations and built an undeniable case. Thanks to their legal expertise, I received a fair settlement that allows me to focus on my recovery. They truly excel with cases involving unsafe property conditions."
"My child was tragically bitten by a dog at a neighbor's property in Akron. Navigating the aftermath and dealing with the owners was incredibly stressful. The team at this law firm was compassionate yet fiercely effective. They understood Ohio's dog bite laws thoroughly and fought to ensure my child received the necessary medical care and compensation for their trauma. They are the best dog bite attorneys in the state."
"I had a terrible slip and fall accident on a wet floor at a grocery store in Cincinnati that led to a serious fracture. The store tried to deny responsibility, but this firm's meticulous preparation and dedication proved the store's negligence. They were communicative throughout the entire process, making a stressful situation much easier to handle. Choose them if you need a top-notch slip and fall lawyer."
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PH: TOLL FREE: (800) 848-5297 • OFFICE LOCATION • 5000 Arlington Centre Blvd. Columbus, OH 43220