How to Handle a Slip and Fall Claim Against Your Cleaning Business
“Slip and fall” is a term used for a personal injury case in which an individual slips or trips and falls and is injured on or due to someone else’s property. The very nature of a cleaning business presents an increase in slips and fall opportunities, and negligence in cleaning services could lead to a greater risk of slips and falls for property patrons. A wide variety of conditions can easily lead to someone slipping and becoming injured, and it is crucial to understand how to prevent these claims and what to do in the event that one arises.
What To Do When a Slip and Fall Occurs
If a slip and fall takes place on the job, medical assistance should be contacted for the injured person and incident documentation should be done by:
- Preserving a video recording if there were surveillance cameras
- Photographing the accident scene
- Completing a proper incident report that describes the details of the accident
- Recording any witness statements and contact information
- Immediately contacting a cleaning service insurance provider to report the accident
Legal Liability
Generally, a person injured in a slip and fall must prove that the cause of the accident was a “dangerous condition.” A dangerous condition must present an unreasonable risk to a person and have been a condition that the injured party should not have anticipated under the circumstances. In other words, your business must be aware of, and avoid, obvious dangers.
In order to establish that a business owner knew of a dangerous condition, it must be proven that:
- The owner created the condition
- The owner was aware the condition existed and failed to correct it
- The condition existed for such a length of time that the owner should have discovered and corrected it prior to the slip and fall incident
For a business to be held liable, it must have been foreseeable that the owner’s negligence would create the danger at issue.
Defending Yourself
There is no precise way to determine when a business owner is legally responsible for a customer’s injuries in a slip and fall accident. Each case turns on whether the business owner acted carefully so that slipping or tripping was not likely to happen, and whether the customer was careless in avoiding the condition that caused the fall.
Cleaning businesses faced with a potential slip and fall injury claim should consult with an experienced attorney and cleaning service insurance agent. These resources will explore all possible defense options and strategies available to you, and will protect your business’s liability exposure through the process.
When recognizing the potential for slip and fall claims occurring, even if there does not appear to be an immediate threat of a lawsuit, cleaning service insurance will protect your business from financial consequences.
About Moody Insurance Worldwide
Moody Insurance Worldwide, a division of Moody & Associates that was founded in 1914, is a leading provider of risk management programs and insurance coverage to individuals and businesses across the East Coast. We write all sizes of businesses, with technical expertise in many key industry areas, and provide personal insurance programs for estates and high net worth individuals. Our licensed, experienced commercial account managers can work with you to determine the coverage that you need at a competitive rate. Contact us today at (855) 868-0170 to learn more about what we can do for you.