Slip and Falls in Parking Lots: Dangers of Parking Lot Paint
If you live in South Florida, it is very likely that you use parking lots on a daily basis. What you may not have noticed is the potential for injuries that are present in many parking lots. If you or someone you love is injured in a slip and fall in a parking lot, there are a couple of things you should be aware of. All business owners in Florida must employ staff to routinely inspect the premises and correct any conditions that can foreseeably cause injury to either a guest or customer. If an employee or owner of the business uncovers a dangerous condition that may be deemed unsafe for patrons, it is their responsibility to do everything reasonably possible to correct the problem. If the problem or condition cannot be immediately corrected, the business is responsible for alerting customers of the issue so as to avoid any injuries to guests or customers. Next, after a slip and fall at a parking lot, it is very important to figure out who owns the parking lot and who is responsible for maintaining the parking lot. Some parking lots are stand-alone and are usually owned by one business. Other parking lots are found in shopping centers which are usually shared by many businesses. In most instances, parking lots found in shopping centers or malls are usually maintained by a separate management company. It can sometimes be difficult to determine who actually owns and/or maintains a parking lot. To illustrate, if a customer falls in a Trader Joes parking lot that is a stand-alone lot, it is usually owned and maintained by Trader Joes employees. In contrast, if a customer falls in a shopping center that is shared among multiple retailers, there is likely a management company that is responsible for maintaining the parking lot at that particular shopping center. If you happen to fall in a parking lot at a shopping center, try to speak with management at the store you were shopping at. In some cases, the management team may be willing to share who is responsible for parking lot maintenance.
Dangers of Parking Lot Paint
Most parking lots contain areas where the walking surface is painted. One of the lesser known dangers in parking lots can be the type of paint that is used to paint lines for parking spots and traffic markings. There are many different types of paints that are used for roadways, parking lots, parking garages, and highways. Unfortunately, many commonly used brands of paint for parking lots have the tendency to get extremely slippery when wet and this can lead to falls. In order to make parking lots safe, parking lots are usually sealed. In the sealing process, sand and other materials are mixed to coat the parking lot and the result is a slip resistant parking lot that can help prevent skidding and hydroplaning. Unfortunately, the painting process can sometimes deteriorate the coating and make the parking lot unsafe. This is because the paint acts as a filler and can fill in the textured pockets of asphalt and smooth out the lot. By doing this, the parking lot is no longer slip resistant. In addition, this can worsen over time if a parking lot is painted and repainted multiple times. This is because painters tend to use several coats of paint while repainting traffic lines and parking spot lines. This fills in the textured gaps of the asphalt and can lead to hydroplaning and slippage.
Speak with a Florida Slip and Fall Attorney Today!
We represent clients that have been seriously injured in slip and fall incidents. Although Florida law can be challenging, experienced personal injury attorneys can put forth the required evidence to win your case and obtain fair and adequate justice. If you, a loved one, or a friend is involved in a slip and fall accident and have any questions, let the injury attorneys at Suarez & Montero review the circumstances of your accident and discuss your legal options. Our attorneys are ready to provide proven legal representation in pursuing your claim and stand ready to protect your rights. At the law offices of Suarez and Montero, we operate on a contingency fee basis. In other words, the consultation is free, and you don’t pay a single cent, unless we win your case. Once you hire our firm, one of our expert lawyers will conduct a systematic and complete investigation to come up with a customized plan of action for your personal injury claim. Our lawyers provide efficiency, experience, knowledge, and can help you get the compensation you deserve after a slip and fall. We are available 24/7 to give you a free, no risk case consultation.
We serve clients throughout Florida including those in the following areas:
Miami-Dade: Aventura, Coral Gables, Doral, Fontainebleau, Hialeah, Homestead, Kendall, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Lakes, North Miami, Tamiami, and Westchester.
Broward: Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and Weston; and Palm Beach County including Boca Raton, Lake Worth, and West Palm Beach.
