Friday, June 6, 2008

A Fraudulent Slip and Fall Case

A slip and fall accident generally refers to a situation whereby person slips and falls or trips and falls due to a dangerous condition on someone else's property and is injured as a consequence.

These accidents are caused by slippery floors, uneven steps or broken handle bars. Whatever the cause is, the bottom line is, the property owner may be held liable for the resulting injuries.

But what about in case of a sham slip and fall? Will it make the owner liable?

Astonishingly and to my dismay, a fraudulent claim for a trip and fall happened against a grocery owner allegedly for injuries sustained by the customer. Lucky for the owner, he had installed in his grocery store a surveillance camera. Surprisingly or unsurprisingly, the said customer plotted her scheme of make belief.

Now back to my question, can the customer maintain a slip and fall case against the grocery owner?

Of course not! The customer alone bears whatever losses she incurred for curing her injuries.

Remember, a claim for slip and fall accident will only ensue if the building or property owner has been negligent in the care and maintenance of the premises.

In this case, the injuries were sustained due to her deliberate and fraudulent role play of a slip and fall victim. This is not only a desperate move but must be punished.