When you’ve worked hard to turn your business idea into a reality and you’ve worked even harder to ensure that everything you do contributes to the success of your business, the last thing you want is for your business dreams to be shattered by a lawsuit.
Slips, trips and falls in the workplace, either by an employee or a customer are one of the most common types of personal injury cases in the US. But just because they’re the most common, it doesn’t mean you can’t prevent them from potentially destroying your business and your reputation. Providing a safe environment for your employees and customers should always be a primary concern of any business owner. And, as far as slips, trips and falls are concerned, prevention is better than cure.
Read on for 4 steps to avoid a lawsuit against your business.
- The right signage
The simplest solution is often the best one! Having warning signs on display is your first step towards avoiding a lawsuit and you’ll find the very latest in warning signs here at mysafetysign.com. Perhaps the floor in the foyer is slippery after it’s just been cleaned, or maybe there’s torn carpet in one of the offices that you need to make visitors aware of. Regardless of the hazard, if it cannot be resolved at this moment, make sure you have warning signs clearly on display and adjacent to the hazard. These signs are usually bright yellow with black text, so they are easily spotted. Investing in the right signage is a quick and easy way to avoid a lawsuit.
- Lighting is key
Ensuring that all your walkways are well lit, is also a step in the right direction. If your walkways, hallways, stairwells and paths leading up to your property are well lit, then it’s less likely that there will be an accident. Maybe the path outside has an uneven paving stone – you’ve placed a warning sign, yet it’s too dark for visitors to spot. Having good lighting facilities can help prevent accidents occurring.
- Stairs
Stairs can be a bit of a nightmare when it comes to avoiding a lawsuit. However, there are steps you can take to ensure that anyone who uses them does so safely and cannot hold you liable for any accident they may have. Installing strong, sturdy handrails is an absolute must and highlighting the bottom stair with reflective tape is also a good idea. If the ceiling suddenly gets lower, highlight this too. Ensure that all stairwells and steps are free of clutter!
- Install CCTV
A good security system will help you to identify problem areas in your business, you can also monitor specific areas and help to keep others safe. When you install CCTV if a trip or fall does occur then you’ll have evidence of the event itself which your attorney may wish to look at.
Despite your attempts to prevent falls in your business, accidents still happen. Ensure that you have the right insurance in place so that you, your business and anyone who enters your property is covered.
