Falls account for 87% of serious injuries for senior citizens. Falls can occur anywhere, but a damaged sidewalk could be a huge liability for commercial property owners.
Does your unsafe sidewalk have you worried about sidewalk accidents? Read on to learn if you require uneven sidewalk repair and whether you might be liable for uneven sidewalks.
Who Is Liable for Sidewalk Accidents?
In the event of an accident, one or more parties may be at fault. In most municipalities, it is the city that maintains and repairs sidewalks. Depending on the city’s laws, the owner of the adjacent property may also be the owner or part-owner of the property.
Cities can be hard to sue. Many municipalities have legal immunity from accidents that result from uneven sidewalks.
Even if the city is liable, there is often a short deadline to make such filings. There are often strict limits on the dollar amounts injured parties can recover.
Private properties are considerably different. A shopping center, for example, is tasked with managing its property. This means the property owner handles the safety and conditions of the sidewalk.
If someone slips and becomes injured, the property owner may be liable for that situation. If a contracted worker like a landscape company created the unsafe condition, that company may be liable for the injury.
Can the Pedestrian Be at Fault?
A judge may decide that the pedestrian was at fault for tripping and falling on the sidewalk. This may be because the pedestrian did not use reasonable care when walking in obviously hazardous conditions.
Or the sidewalk may only be minimally uneven and unlikely to cause a pedestrian to fall. A judge may also determine that the injuries sustained could not reasonably have been caused by the alleged fall. In some fraudulent cases, plaintiffs have tried to use pre-existing injuries to justify litigation.
How Do I Repair My Uneven Sidewalk?
Concrete and asphalt repair is affordable and straightforward. Simple maintenance can keep your commercial business looking its best. Maintenance provides a safe walking environment for your clients and customers.
NVM is a full-service provider, meaning we can repair all kinds of concrete structures. Do you have concerns about the safety of your sidewalks? Don’t hesitate to make these minor repairs before it leads to an avoidable accident.
Our experts are able to find and repair all sorts of cracks in asphalt and concrete. Having your parking lot repaired can even help your business stay ADA-compliant.
Learn More About Uneven Sidewalk Repair
Owning a commercial property comes with important responsibilities. One of these responsibilities is uneven sidewalk repair. Whether you are building a sidewalk, repairing one, or needing to rebuild, NVM is here to help.
Give us a call or fill out our online form. Our paving experts will discuss your project in depth. We have a dedicated crew to see your project through on time and on budget.
