"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 Pothole Trip and Fall: Personal Injury Attorneys Protecting the Rights of Individuals throughout The State of Ohio
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Ohio Injury Due to Pothole Trip and Fall: Personal Injury Lawyers
Experienced Premise Liability Injury Attorney providing Personal Injury representation involving Pothole 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 Trip and Fall Personal Injury Attorneys.
Ohio Pothole Trip and Fall Attorney: Injured in a Business Parking Lot?
Large, deep potholes in commercial parking lots and driveways are a significant hazard that commercial property owners and businesses in Ohio have a duty to repair. When they fail to fix these defects, the resulting trip and fall injuries can be severe and life-altering.
If you suffered an injury after tripping in a pothole on business property—whether at a shopping center, grocery store, or office building—our experienced Personal Injury Attorney team can help. We focus on premises liability claims for negligently maintained exterior grounds, holding property owners accountable under current Ohio statutes.
Business Responsibility for Parking Lot Potholes Under Ohio Law
Commercial property owners in Ohio owe their invitees (customers and lawful visitors) a duty of ordinary care to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. This duty extends to the exterior grounds, including parking lots and driveways.
While liability for potholes can be complex, a business may be held liable for your trip and fall injury if we can prove they had notice of the hazard and failed to act:
- Actual Notice: The owner or an employee was directly aware of the pothole (e.g., received a complaint or wrote a maintenance request) but failed to repair it.
- Constructive Notice: The pothole existed for such a length of time that the owner should have discovered it through reasonable, routine inspections and fixed it.
- Creation of Hazard: The owner or their contractor caused the defect, such as improper resurfacing that quickly led to a deep pothole.
Challenging the "Open and Obvious" Pothole Defense
A frequent defense in pothole cases is the "open and obvious" doctrine, where the business claims the defect was large enough to be seen and avoided. We challenge this defense successfully by highlighting attendant circumstances recognized under Ohio law:
- Poor Lighting: Falls often occur at night or in areas of the parking lot where lighting is dim, making the depth and size of the pothole impossible to accurately judge.
- Distraction: A business's use of parking lot lines, signs, or maneuvering around vehicles naturally draws attention away from the ground immediately in front of the pedestrian.
- Obscured Hazard: The pothole may have been filled with water, snow, or fallen leaves, concealing its depth and size.
We work to prove that due to these circumstances, the pothole was an unexpected trap, not a clearly visible defect, thereby restoring the business's duty of care.
Evidence, Compensation, & Ohio's Statute of Limitations
We understand that potholes can cause devastating injuries, including broken ankles, knee damage, and head trauma. We move quickly to gather crucial evidence before the business makes repairs:
- Measurements & Photos: Documenting the exact dimensions (depth and width) of the pothole at the time of the fall.
- Maintenance Records: Obtaining inspection logs, repair invoices, and work orders to establish the business's notice.
- Lighting Surveys: Measuring illumination levels at the accident site to prove the defect was obscured.
Under Ohio's Modified Comparative Negligence law (R.C. 2315.33), we fight to minimize any claim that you were partially at fault for the fall, maximizing your recovery for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The statute of limitations (R.C. 2305.10) for personal injury claims in Ohio is typically two years. Contacting an attorney immediately is crucial to preserving your evidence and legal rights.
Contact Our Ohio Personal Injury Attorneys Today
If you were seriously injured after a trip and fall in a pothole on a business property, you need experienced legal representation.
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