The usual slip and fall accidents that occur at this time of year tend to be caused by icy sidewalks and wet floors. However, recently in Ottawa a commuter was injured in a slip and fall accident while using the new LRT public transit system. So if this happens to you while you are using the LRT or any sort of public transportation, do you know your options? Depending on the specific circumstances that lead up to your injury, you could hold the company responsible and receive compensation. Below are some things to keep in mind if you find yourself in this situation.
Where did the slip and fall happen?
If you were injured on the property of a business, then the business owner may be held responsible for not maintaining a safe environment. Slip and fall cases involving public transportation are becoming more common as an increasing number of people rely on public transportation to safely and effectively get to where they are going.
While there have been numerous OC Transpo bus-related injuries in Ottawa over the years, we now have the new LRT train system that people have to be careful using. One of the main risks with introducing a new mode of transportation is the fact that people are not entirely familiar with the infrastructure or the platforms. The recent, November 12, slip and fall accident at an O-Train station resulted in a woman suffering a serious ankle injury after falling outside the Parliament LRT Station. It is believed that slippery floors caused the accident. So based on the facts at hand, who is accountable in this situation?
Who is responsible?
When it comes to slip and fall accidents, the situation is rarely ever straight-forward. There could be any number of different scenarios that can result in many possible outcomes. This is when you want to look into getting a personal injury lawyer to review your case.
Both the injured person and the owner of the property where the injury occurred may be partially responsible for the slip and fall accident. While the injured person is expected to use care and take additional precautions when walking on a slippery surface, the property owner is responsible for maintaining a safe environment. If a slip and fall case cannot be settled and ends up going to court, then the court will examine both parties to see whose negligence caused the accident or if both were partially at fault. Even if you are partially at fault, you may still receive compensation if it is determined that the property owner’s negligence played a significant role in causing the accident.
What are your options?
If you have been injured while using public transportation, it is in your best interest to seek legal advice. Depending on the circumstances that led up to the accident, you could receive compensation to cover your medical bills and loss of income resulting from the injuries you sustained.
The outcome of a slip and fall case will vary depending on the ability to prove what caused the accident, where it happened and who is responsible. If you have been injured, then get in touch with a personal injury lawyer today to discuss and review your options. We encourage you to check out these City of Ottawa tips to make the most out of your Ottawa public transit experience.