Premises Liability and Slip and Fall Attorney in Nixa, MO

 Are you the victim of a slip and fall accident on someone else's property in Missouri? If so, it's essential to explore your options for seeking compensation for your losses, particularly when it's evident that the property owner's negligence played a role in your injury. At Harris Law, LLC, our dedicated attorney, Joel Harris, is here to help you navigate the complexities of premises liability and slip and fall cases in Missouri. 

 A business, which we'll refer to as "The Corner Store," was a place to pick up food, medications, and household essentials. The business had recently undergone renovations, and in an attempt to modernize the interior, they had chosen a particularly sleek and shiny flooring material. Little did they know that this decision would lead to a life-altering incident.

The new flooring material had an uncanny ability to transform into an ice rink whenever liquid touched its surface. The is not to say that the ground was frozen, but rather, the floor simply failed to possess any slip resistant properties. One rainy afternoon, as patrons went about their shopping, the skies suddenly opened up, drenching the entryway. The entrance, already known for being a high-traffic area, became a perilous hazard zone as water droplets gathered and created a dangerously slick surface.

Without any warning signs or safety precautions, a longtime customer, whom we'll call John, entered The Corner Store. As he took his first step onto the gleaming floor, his feet slid out from under him with a sudden jolt. The fall was catastrophic, resulting in a severe back injury that would forever alter the course of his life.

 Let's talk about something we often overlook – the flooring beneath our feet. Most of us only really think about it when we slip or, worse yet, experience a fall. But here's the thing: flooring is more important than we might realize when it comes to public safety.

The roughness of a floor's surface has a direct impact on how easily we can move without slipping and falling. In simple terms, the rougher the floor, the safer it is. Research shows that the level of surface roughness plays a vital role in determining how slip-resistant a floor is. It's not just about the floor, though; it's also about what you're wearing on your feet. The roughness of your shoes affects the friction between your soles and the floor, which, in turn, affects your risk of slipping.

Consider this: shoes with rubber soles can become rougher as they're exposed to surfaces with increasing coarseness. The result? A higher level of friction, which means you're less likely to slip on wet floors. On the flip side, some materials, like marble and ceramics, are polished to be incredibly smooth. While that might look nice, it actually makes them riskier, especially when they get wet.

Now, when it comes to determining whether a floor is too slippery and unsafe for the public, experts rely on something called the Coefficient of Friction (COF). They use devices like the Brungraber Mark II slip tester to measure this. You'd be surprised to learn just how big of an impact things like liquids and moisture can have on a floor's slipperiness, especially if it lacks slip-resistant qualities. It's almost like walking on an ice rink, and that's why you often see those "Wet Floor" signs, mats, fans, mops, and other regulations in place at businesses that welcome customers.

Business owners have a responsibility to keep their premises safe for everyone. When a floor becomes unexpectedly slippery, it can take us by surprise, and we've all been there at some point. But in most cases, these incidents can be prevented if business owners or their employees take the necessary precautions. It's about being cautious and responsible, ensuring that every step you take is a safe one.

What followed for John was a painful journey of recovery and mounting medical bills. John's once-active lifestyle was curtailed by his injuries, and he found himself facing immense physical and financial burdens. It was clear that The Corner Store's negligence in maintaining safe premises had played a significant role in his suffering.

John sought legal recourse and found his way to Harris Law, LLC, where we recognized the importance of being a voice for people like John. The business's choice of flooring and failure to address the hazardous conditions constituted a severe breach of their responsibility to ensure customer safety. Businesses will often underplay the damages and impact felt by someone injured on their premises. Additionally, they may convince you that everything will be handled or covered, but when it comes time to pay the medical bills they may argue about whether treatment was necessary. On top of all of that, there is extreme hesitancy to cover the injured persons pain and suffering.

While both John and the Corner Store are both fiction, this incident serves as a stark reminder that negligence can have profound, life-changing consequences. At Harris Law, LLC, we're committed to standing up for individuals like John, holding businesses accountable for their actions, and ensuring that justice prevails. If you've experienced a similar situation in Nixa, Missouri, our dedicated team is here to help you on your journey toward justice and compensation.