Ohio Injury Due to Unsafe Walkways or Paths: Personal Injury Lawyers
Experienced Premise Liability Injury Attorney providing Personal Injury representation involving Injury Due to Unsafe Walkways or Paths with Excessive Slopes or Unevenness throughout the State of Ohio.
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Ohio Uneven Walkway & Excessive Slope Injury Lawyers: Premises Liability
Unsafe walkways or paths with excessive slopes or uneven surfaces create dangerous tripping and falling hazards for guests, customers, and tenants. A steep grade, misplaced paving stone, or unrepaired crack can lead to a sudden fall, resulting in severe injuries like broken hips, ankles, spinal trauma, and concussions. These incidents are often the direct result of a property owner's negligent failure to maintain their grounds in a reasonably safe condition.
If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury due to an uneven walkway or path with an excessive slope on commercial or residential property in Ohio, you have the right to seek financial compensation. Our experienced Personal Injury Attorney team is ready to pursue your Premises Liability claims, fighting to secure maximum recovery for your losses under Ohio Revised Code.
Owner Liability for Uneven Surfaces Under Ohio Law
In Ohio, property owners owe a duty of ordinary care to their invitees (those legally on the property) to keep the premises safe. This duty requires owners to regularly inspect and repair hazards related to grounds and pathways. We prove negligence by focusing on the owner's breach of duty and knowledge of the defect:
- Owner Notice of Hazard: We must prove the owner had Actual Notice (e.g., received prior complaints or warnings) or Constructive Notice. Constructive Notice is established when the uneven walkway or excessive slope existed for such a length of time that the owner, conducting reasonable inspections, should have known about the hazard but failed to fix it or warn visitors.
- Building/Local Code Violations: Walkways and paths must comply with local and state building codes concerning grade, slope percentage, and ramp specifications. A path with an excessive slope that violates these codes is strong evidence of negligence.
The Open and Obvious Defense
Property owners often try to use the open and obvious defense, arguing that the unevenness or slope was visible and should have been avoided. However, our attorneys combat this defense using the attendant circumstances doctrine, proving that factors—such as poor lighting, weather conditions, distractions, or the subtle nature of the defect—prevented you from seeing or avoiding the hazard.
Proving Negligence: Unsafe Slope and Unevenness
To successfully pursue a claim for injuries resulting from an unsafe walkway, specialized evidence is required to prove the degree of the defect. Our firm investigates the premises immediately after the incident:
- Expert Measurement: We deploy accident reconstruction experts and engineers to measure the precise degree of the excessive slope (in violation of code) or the height and nature of the unevenness (trip hazard), confirming the defect was dangerous.
- Maintenance Records: We subpoena maintenance logs, repair histories, and inspection schedules to prove the owner had notice of the walkway's deteriorated condition (e.g., lifted pavement, deep cracks) but neglected the necessary maintenance.
- Witness Testimony: We gather statements from tenants, employees, or other guests who can attest that the unsafe walkway condition existed prior to your fall.
Damages and Ohio's Statute of Limitations (R.C. 2305.10)
Falls caused by uneven walkways often lead to devastating orthopedic injuries that require long-term treatment. We fight to recover comprehensive financial damages for our clients:
- Emergency Medical Bills, Surgery (Hip/Knee Replacement), and Physical Therapy
- Compensation for Broken Bones, Spinal Injuries, and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Lost Wages, Future Loss of Earning Capacity, and Permanent Disability
- Pain and Suffering and Emotional Distress
The statute of limitations for a Personal Injury lawsuit in Ohio (R.C. § 2305.10) is typically two years from the date of the fall. Time is critical, as property owners may quickly repair the uneven surface or excessive slope after an incident, eliminating key evidence.
Contact Our Ohio Personal Injury Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one were injured due to an unsafe walkway, uneven path, or excessive slope on negligent property in Ohio, contact us for a free, confidential legal review.