Personal Injury Attorney Luke Dow Illustrates Slip-and-Fall Prevention
Austin, TX (PRWEB) April 11, 2016 -- Slip-and-fall accidents can cause debilitating injuries, which can potentially cost a business owner a veritable fortune, and they are rather common occurrences. In fact, according to the National Floor Safety Institute, these accidents account for 8 million emergency room visits in the United States each year.
“Business owners have a legal obligation to make sure their premises are safe for customers,” said attorney Luke Dow, founder of Luke Dow Law Firm, which focuses on premises liability. “If a proprietor knows or should have known about a hazard and does not take reasonable steps to fix it or warn customers, and that hazard causes an injury, then the business owner may be liable for damages.”
To prevent slip-and-fall accidents, Dow offers business owners the following three tips:
No. 1: Clean your property. Most slip-and-fall accidents are preventable, but can result from a multitude of hazards. In particular, retail stores are prone to spills and fallen items, and customers are not always eager to report them. “Business owners should have a consistent cleaning schedule to fix these issues,” said Dow. “If you have employees, make sure they have access to the appropriate cleaning materials and that they know how to use them. You should also make sure workers know how to identify potential problems. Mats, carpets and rugs with folds or bent corners can cause serious falls.”
No. 2: Invest in appropriate flooring. If a store has a tiled floor, for example, then it must be compatible with most shoe soles. Additionally, installing slippery tiles in areas that could get wet is highly inadvisable. It is best to choose non-slip tiles; rough and ridged tiles can help prevent falls, and are compatible with most shoe designs.
No. 3: Perform regular maintenance. “All floors and walking surfaces will eventually succumb to wear and tear, so it is important to maintain them,” said Dow. “Replace broken tiles, fix cracked pathways and fill any holes. When roughened tiles become smooth, they are just as hazardous as standard materials; you should replace them or recoat their surfaces. You could also install abrasive strips and mats.”
About Luke Dow Law Firm
At Luke Dow Law Firm, personal injury attorney Luke Dow offers compassionate representation that is skilled and effective. He will look at all aspects of your situation, including the possibility of accidental death benefits or any other benefits that could help your family during such a difficult time, and will take the time to ensure that all negligent parties are held accountable for your accident. Practice areas include DWI accidents, serious personal injury, wrongful death and much more. For more information or a free consultation, please call (512) 480-9502, or visit http://www.lukedow.com. The law office is located at 2901-C Bee Cave Road, Austin, TX 78746.
About the NALA™
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