Slip and Fall in Malls, Stores, or Commercial Properties with Warning Signs

Overview:

When handling leads related to slip and fall injuries in malls, stores, restaurants, or other commercial properties, the presence and placement of warning signs are critical factors. If a lead reports slipping due to a wet floor or hazard, it's important to first ask whether there was a warning sign indicating the danger. The presence and visibility of such signage significantly affect the validity of the claim.

Evaluating Leads:

- Leads You Cannot Submit: If the lead clearly saw a properly placed warning sign and still fell, this would not be considered a valid claim. For example, a lead might report slipping on a wet floor in a mall after noticing a “Caution: Wet Floor” sign directly in front of them. Since the hazard was clearly marked and the sign was visible, this lead should not be submitted.

- Leads You Can Submit: On the other hand, if the lead mentions that the warning sign was not visible, improperly placed, or had fallen over, making it difficult to notice, the lead can be submitted. For instance, a lead might describe slipping on a wet floor in a restaurant where the “Caution” sign was placed behind a corner or toppled over, making it impossible to see from their direction. In such cases, the sign was not effective in warning the lead, and the claim is valid.

Examples:

- Invalid Example: A customer in a store slips on a wet floor after seeing a clearly visible caution sign directly in their path. Since the sign was adequately placed, this lead should not be submitted.

- Valid Example:  A diner in a restaurant slips on a wet floor near the kitchen. They explain that the caution sign was placed around a corner and was not visible from where they were walking. Here, the placement of the sign was ineffective, and the lead is valid for submission.