Albuquerque Slip and Fall Lawyers

Slip and fall accidents are one of the major reasons for people in Albuquerque to visit the emergency room.

They can cause serious injury like broken bones, spinal injury, traumatic brain injury, or even death, especially in elderly adults.

Many such incidents are preventable and result from the negligence of another party. Whether it is a failure to supervise an individual in care or not displaying a hazard warning sign on a wet floor, injury can occur through no fault of your own.

If the negligent or reckless actions of another party can be proven to have caused your injury from a slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to compensation that will help you recover damages.

At Legal Solutions of New Mexico, our experienced slip and fall lawyers can advise you of your legal options and manage the claim or litigation process for you.

What are the most common types of slip and fall accidents?

Sometimes, slip and fall accidents are the result of the failure of a property owner to take due care of individuals on their premises – nightclub owners failing to provide adequate lighting on stairways, for instance.

Another common reason for slip and fall accidents is if a service provider fails to provide the necessary and expected level of care for individuals under their supervision (in schools, daycare centres, aged care facilities, etc.)

In Albuquerque, we commonly see the following types of slip and fall accidents:

Accidents from slippery floors

Slippery floors can be hazardous due to:

- The particular type of flooring material used (ceramic tiles, glass, etc.)
- Over-polishing
- Being wet after cleaning or because of a leak
- A substance (such as oil) that shouldn’t be there

It is the cause of many slip and fall accidents, often exacerbated by the lack of signage to warn of the hazard.

Where a victim hits the head, it can result in brain injuries. Broken bones and spinal injuries are also common with this type of fall.

Accidents from damaged floors

Another common reason for slips and falls is damaged flooring or floor coverings.

This includes:

- Cracked tiles
- Warped flooring
- Broken floor materials (e.g. floorboards)
- Loose carpet
- Slippery rugs or mats
- Broken stair treads

Again, the risks involved with damaged floors or inadequate floor coverings are exacerbated if there is no warning of the hazard for guests.

Accidents from poor lighting

Building owners have a duty to their visitors to adequately light the premises for safety in public areas. Failure to provide this can lead to slip and fall accidents that could be avoided.

This issue is typically seen in the following locations:

- Stairways and steps
- Parking lots
- Hallways
- Garages

Inadequate lighting can cause steps, stairs or floor hazards to be invisible to visitors, leading to unnecessary accidents.

Accidents from cluttered public areas

Clutter or debris piled in public areas can also cause serious accidents. It needn’t be trash – all sorts of unnecessary clutter can cause falls.

Some common examples include:

- Merchandise (e.g. large store displays that are not properly maintained)
- Business supplies
- Tools or equipment
- Building/construction supplies
- Cords/cables crossing walkways or in offices

If people do not see the clutter, they can trip and fall or a pile of debris can even fall on them.

Accidents from damaged sidewalks and roads

Avoidable accidents such as trips, slips, and falls regularly occur due to lack of signage on sidewalks and roads, or other negligence in connection with:

- Cracked pavements
- Loose pavers
- Gaps between segments of sidewalk
- Potholes and ditches

These issues can occur in public areas or on private premises.

Property owners have a duty to keep their grounds free of hazards, erect suitable signage or barricades, and maintain the safety of visitors.

Accidents from landscape hazards

Sometimes, contracted landscapers unwittingly cause slip and fall accidents through negligence.

Most commonly, these accidents involve:

Mulch on walkways (slipping hazard)
Loose sand or gravel on walkways (slipping hazards)
Landscaping tools and equipment (tripping hazards)

Who is liable for slip and fall accidents?

The precise circumstances of your accident will help determine liability.

Because of the varied nature of these incidents, it is difficult to generalize. However, from our experience in representing slip and fall accident victims in Albuquerque, the property owner is most commonly held liable.

Under New Mexico law, property owners are responsible for the safety of their homes or businesses. They must regularly inspect the area for hidden hazards and make necessary repairs in a timely fashion and/or warn guests of the dangers.

It is also possible for a party other than the owner to be held liable for an accident on a particular property.

This could be:

Co-workers
Product manufacturers
Off-duty employees
Contractors (e.g. builders, landscapers, or janitors)

To hold a property owner liable for a slip and fall accident, you must be a legitimate guest there and understand the responsibilities and actions of the owner.

Proving liability is often challenging and generally requires the experience of a skilled slip and fall accident lawyer.

What compensation can be claimed for slip and fall accidents?

If you are injured while legally on the premises, you may be entitled to compensation for the losses caused by the negligence of the property owner or other party.

Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may be able to claim for: