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Superintendents have a responsibility to use warning signs when a floor is mopped because slippery floors can be very dangerous. Learn what you need to do, if you taken a fall because of a recently mopped floor.
A property owner in New York State has certain obligations to maintain a safe environment for tenants and visitors. One of these obligations is ensuring that stairwells and hallways are not slippery and dangerous for tenants to walk on. If a tenant has a slip and fall on a mopped floor, stairwell or hallway, the property owner may be held liable for the injuries sustained by a tenant.
In New York, the law governing a landlord’s liability for a tenant who falls on a recently mopped floor is the premises liability law. Under premises liability law, a landlord has a duty to maintain the common areas of a rental property in a reasonable safe condition for tenants and visitors. If a landlord fails to fulfill this duty and a tenant or visitor is injured as a result, the landlord may be held liable for the resulting damages.
In the case of a recently mopped floor, the landlord’s liability will depend on whether the landlord was negligent in their maintenance of the property. For example, if the landlord failed to provide adequate warning signs or failed to dry the floor after mopping, they may be considered negligent and may be held liable for any resulting injuries.
Did You Fall Because the Super In Your Building Forgot To Put a Wet Floor Sign Up After Mopping? CLICK HERE and Find Out What You Can Do Next.
A recently mopped floor can be potentially dangerous because the moisture left behind from cleaning process can create a slippery surface, increasing the risk of slip and fall accidents. Even if the floor appears dry, there may be moisture left behind that is not immediately visible to the naked eye. This can be especially dangerous in areas with high foot traffic, such as hallways and stairwells, where people may be moving quickly and not paying close attention to their surroundings.
In addition to the risk of slip and fall accidents, a recently mopped floor can also be dangerous because of the cleaning chemicals that are often used in the mopping process. These chemicals can leave a residue on the floor that can be slippery, cause skin irritation or breathing problems if they come into contact with people. This is why it is important for property owners to follow proper cleaning protocols and to warn tenants of the potential hazards associated with recently cleaned floors.
Overall, a recently mopped floor is potentially dangerous because it can create a hazardous environment for tenants and visitors to a property. To prevent accidents and reduce liability, property owners should take all necessary precautions to ensure that floors are properly marked and that any moisture or residue left behind from cleaning is promptly and thoroughly removed.
To meet their obligations, landlords should have an appropriate schedule for mopping floors, taking into account the volume of traffic in the area and the time it takes for the floor to dry. This is particularly important in areas with heavy traffic such as stairwells and hallways, where there is a hight risk of slips and falls. A property owner who fails to establish and maintain a proper mopping schedule may be found negligent if a slip and fall accident occurs.
It is also important for landlords to warn tenants of any areas that have recently been mopped, such as with a sign prominently displayed in the affected area. A landlord’s failure to post a sign, can result in liability.
Finally, New York follows the doctrine of comparative negligence, which means that the injured party’s own negligence may be taken into account when determining damages. For example, if the tenant was running on the wet floor and that contributed to their fall, the landlord’s liability may be reduced.
In conclusion, property owners in New York State have a legal obligation to maintain safe premises for their tenants. This includes appropriate scheduling of mopping floors and warning tenants of slippery areas. Failure to meet these obligations may result in legal action and potential liability for injuries sustained by tenants due to slip and fall accidents.
If you have any questions concerning what you need to do next concerning your slip and fall on a mopped floor, call our office at (718) 364-4000 or simply fill out a case intake form, and one of our attorneys will get right back to you.
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