Exposed wires or cables may be unexpectedly dangerous. For one, you may trip over one if you do not look down and detect its obstruction of your path on time. Or, if you take it upon yourself to grab it and throw it to the side of the walkway, you may get electrocuted if it has a live current. In a worst-case scenario, one with a live current and sparking may have you suddenly trapped in the middle of an electrical fire. If you are made the victim of any of these mentioned scenarios, then please follow along to find out who is responsible for exposed wires or cables in a public place and how a proficient Panama City slip & fall accident attorney at Manuel & Thompson, PA can help should you ever get injured by one.
Who is responsible for exposed wires or cables in a public place?
Throughout the state of Florida, in private and public places alike, property owners are responsible for upholding a duty of care in routinely searching for and identifying potential hazards and subsequently fixing or warning about them before inviting visitors onto their premises. Specifically, this duty of care extends to ensuring their designated pedestrian walkways are in a safe condition and clear of any obstructions. Namely, they must not be cluttered with wires or cables running across them, especially ones that are exposed.
This usually means that a property owner is liable for a personal injury accident caused by an exposed wire or cable present on their premises. However, other third parties may have played a part in this accident event. For example, these wires or cables may have been left behind by a construction crew hired for a project on the property. Or, by a utility company that went to make repairs to the property’s electrical system. Either way, they may have been negligent by failing to clean up after themselves or blocking off their active work zone from passersby.
What should I do if I get injured by an exposed wire or cable?
As an invitee of a public place, you may have exercised reasonable care for your own safety during your visit. Even still, there may have been no way for you to avoid an exposed wire or cable, and you may have gotten seriously injured as a result. In a case like this, you must pursue a personal injury claim against the negligent party, whether that be a property owner, construction company, utility company, or otherwise.
Even if you did not get injured but simply observed an exposed wire or cable while exercising reasonable care, you must do your due diligence in informing the property owner. Or better yet, notify emergency services. This is so you may prevent any other invitees from tripping, getting electrocuted, or being made the victim of a fire during their visit.
There is no sense in waiting any longer if you know you require financial compensation now. So please reach out to a talented Panama City slip & fall attorney from Manuel & Thompson, PA today.
