"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 Protruding Object Trip and Fall: Personal Injury Attorneys Protecting the Rights of Individuals throughout The State of Ohio
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Ohio Injury Due to Protruding Object Trip and Fall: Personal Injury Lawyers
Experienced Premise Liability Injury Attorney providing Personal Injury representation involving Protruding Object 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 Protruding Object Trip and Fall Attorney: Hidden Dangers in Walkways
A simple trip and fall injury can be devastating, especially when the hazard is a sudden, unmarked protruding object extending from a wall, floor, or fixture into a designated walkway. Objects like unanchored signage bases, exposed rebar, misplaced construction materials, or damaged display legs create a critical, often hidden hazard.
In Ohio, businesses have a clear duty of care to maintain clear paths of travel. If you suffered a serious injury due to an unannounced protruding object at a commercial property, our experienced Personal Injury Attorney team specializes in premises liability claims based on structural and maintenance negligence.
Business Responsibility for Walkway Obstructions Under Ohio Law
Ohio premises liability law requires commercial property owners to maintain their premises, including aisles and walking areas, in a reasonably safe condition for their customers (invitees). A protruding object that extends into a walkway, especially at ankle or shin height, is a direct breach of this fundamental duty of ordinary care.
We establish the business's negligence by proving they had notice of the hazard:
- Creation of Hazard: An employee or contractor actively created the danger (e.g., leaving a ladder base unsecured or failing to remove temporary hardware). In such a case, the business has immediate Actual Notice of the dangerous protruding object.
- Constructive Notice: The protruding object—whether a damaged fixture or a misplaced item—was present for a sufficient length of time that the store, performing reasonable, routine inspections, should have discovered it and corrected the condition.
- Building Code Violation: If the protrusion involves structural elements (e.g., inadequate clearance, exposed conduit, or hardware), it may constitute a violation of specific Ohio Building Codes, which serves as powerful evidence of negligence.
Overcoming the "Open and Obvious" Defense
Defendants will often argue that the protruding object was "open and obvious" and should have been avoided. We challenge this doctrine successfully by demonstrating attendant circumstances that made the hazard non-obvious and unavoidable:
- Low-Level Hazard: Objects that protrude only a few inches are often below the normal line of sight and blend into the visual clutter of the floor or wall, making the danger concealed.
- Poor Lighting: Dim lighting, shadows, or glare obscured the protruding object, preventing the customer from appreciating the danger.
- Distraction: We argue that in a retail or commercial setting, signage, displays, and other visual elements reasonably distract the customer's attention, making the sudden, low-level protrusion a "trap."
Evidence, Compensation, & Ohio's Comparative Negligence Statute
A trip over a protruding object often results in severe injuries, including knee, ankle, hip, and wrist fractures. We immediately focus on securing the following evidence:
- Photos and Measurements: Documenting the exact dimensions of the protruding object and its placement relative to the walkway.
- Surveillance Footage: Obtaining video that proves how long the object was left in the walkway and whether any employees passed by without addressing the hazard.
- Fixture Maintenance Logs: Reviewing records related to the installation or repair of the fixture from which the object protruded.
Under Ohio's Modified Comparative Negligence law (R.C. 2315.33), we vigorously defend against claims that you were partly at fault, ensuring you remain eligible to recover maximum damages for your medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering.
The statute of limitations for most Ohio personal injury claims (R.C. 2305.10) is typically two years. Immediate legal action is necessary to document the scene before the hazard is removed.
Contact Our Ohio Personal Injury Attorneys Today
If you were seriously injured after a trip and fall over a protruding object at an Ohio business, contact our dedicated legal team for specialized assistance.
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