Tripping Over a Power Cord
Power cords are a common feature at most workplaces. Businesses need to connect computers, printers, and other equipment to outlets on the other side of the room, and a power cord gets the job done. However, these cords are usually bulky and might be poorly placed. There is a real risk that someone stepping into a room can end up falling because they trip over a cord.
Trip and fall accidents are as serious as any slip and fall case. Someone can break an arm, dislocate their shoulder, or suffer a concussion when they hit the ground. Someone falling backwards cannot brace in time. To check if you can seek compensation, reach out to a Miami slip and fall attorney.
Can You Seek Compensation for Tripping Over a Cord?
The answer to this question isn’t automatically “yes.” Instead, you can typically seek compensation if the property owner was negligent in some way:
- Failing to tape down the cord. It’s safer to tape the cord to the floor, which reduces the risk of stubbing your toe in the cord and falling.
- Crossing a doorway or other high traffic area. Cords should be placed strategically to minimize the risk of tripping. Running a cord across a door or hallway is a terrible safety risk, and the property owner could be liable for doing so.
- Placed in a dark area. Without proper lighting, a person won’t see the cord and can easily trip.
- Failing to warn people of the cord. Some cords are only used in emergencies, such as connecting generators during a power outage. The owner should warn people by putting up a cone or other sign. Failing to take this simple step could qualify as negligence.
Whether you can seek compensation depends on many factors, including whether the property owner knew the cord was there or placed it themselves. A person’s own negligence can matter, too. Did you trip over the cord because you ignored a sign or failed to watch where you were going? If so, you are partially to blame for an accident. You might receive less in compensation.
Try to document the cord after tripping over it. The owner might pull the plug and then claim the cord wasn’t put across a doorway. You can use your phone to get at least one snapshot, which is really helpful at showing us what the accident scene looked like.
Contact a Miami Slip and Fall Lawyer
The lawyers at Pita Weber Del Prado have deep experience with all types of premises liability claims. We can investigate whether you can sue for compensation. We might also search for evidence of the property defect, such as surveillance video showing a cord crossing a doorway.
How much can you receive? Let us analyze your medical bills and other considerations, including pain. Injured workers might be limited to filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, but we can help with that, too. Give us a call to speak with a Miami slip and fall lawyer.
