Inadequate Lighting and Slip and Fall Lawsuits
Hire an Experienced Allentown Slip and Fall Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident due to inadequate lighting issues — perhaps at a retail store, or at an office — then Pennsylvania law may entitle you to sue and recover significant damages. Let’s take a closer look at some of the issues typical of a slip and fall dispute, and more specifically when the dangerous condition involves inadequate lighting.
Basics of a Slip and Fall Case
Slip and fall cases fall under the umbrella of “premises liability” disputes. In the premises liability and slip and fall context, an individual is entitled to sue and recover damages if they injure themselves on another’s property due to the existence of a dangerous condition.
Dangerous conditions can include liquid spills and other hazards, such as poor and inadequate lighting. For example, if you are walking on a tile surface, and there’s an obvious spill, but you don’t notice it due to dim lighting conditions, then you would be entitled to bring an action against the defendant if you suffer a slip and fall injury as a result.
Evaluating the Surrounding Circumstances
Establishing the liability of the property owner isn’t always straightforward, especially in a case where you are attempting to show that inadequate lighting was a dangerous condition. You’ll not only have to show that the lighting was sufficiently poor to pose an unreasonable risk of injury, but you’ll also have to show that the defendant knew or should have known about the inadequate lighting issue.
Proving that the lighting was sufficiently poor to qualify as a dangerous condition is a matter of evaluating the overall circumstances. What one individual perceives to be poor lighting may be dim, but manageable for most. Additionally, the surrounding environment can significantly influence the danger of poor lighting. For example, if an alcove gets a lot of natural light, then dim artificial lighting may not pose a problem during daylight hours.
In the inadequate lighting (slip and fall) context, the key to success is to introduce evidence of prior injuries related to the same condition or to introduce the testimony of safety experts noting the dangers posed by the lighting conditions.
Need an Allentown Slip and Fall Lawyer? Contact Drake, Hileman & Davis, PC
Here at Drake, Hileman & Davis, PC, our attorneys have decades of experience working with plaintiffs — including those who have been injured in a slip and fall accident — helping them to sue and recover damages.
We are committed to truly client-focused representation. To that end, we work closely with plaintiffs at every stage of the litigation process and prioritize their goals, concerns, and expectations. This high level of engagement ensures that we have the information and insight we need to succeed in either a settlement negotiation or trial litigation.
Ready to speak to an experienced Allentown slip and fall lawyer? Call us at 888-777-7098 or send us a message online to schedule a free and confidential consultation.