Floor mats. Especially, after or during a storm, you find them everywhere. Right after you walk into your local grocery, apartment building, department store, office building and supermarket, they’re there to sop up the rain and snow melt. But when floor mats are not properly maintained or put down properly and the edges turn up or they gather somewhere in the middle because they are not laid flat against the floor, they become tripping hazards and can cause serious slip and fall accidents in New York City. OSHA even classifies tripping over a curled, cracked, or torn floor mat as one of the most common causes of injury in the workplace.
Tripping over a defective floor mat causes serious injuries such as, bone fractures or brain concussions because the trip catches you totally by surprise, leaving you no time to brace or protect yourself. The results are usually a trip to the emergency room of a hospital, follow up appointments with an orthopedist and lost time from work.
New York premises law requires that building and business owners act reasonably to protect their tenants, visitors and patrons from slip and fall hazards. The entire floor mat should lay flat against the floor and not gather somewhere in the middle; the edges should not be curled or turned up. The mat should not slip or slide. The mat should not have any rips, tears, or fraying surfaces to trap your foot. Next time you step onto one of these mats, don’t be surprised if find one of these trip hazards. Chances are, it has been there for years.
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident in New York City caused by one of these defective floor mats, you may be able to recover for your pain and suffering, unpaid medical bills and lost time from work from the property or business owner. Contact an experienced New York City slip and fall accident attorney today at the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel. Call 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 right now