What is the legal definition of a “slip and fall”?

In Massachusetts, a "slip and fall" is a type of personal injury claim that arises when an individual is injured because of a hazardous condition or because of the careless or negligent act of another. This type of claim is based on the legal concept of premises liability, which is the responsibility of property owners and/or occupiers to keep their premises safe for people who are lawfully on the property. A "slip and fall" typically involves a person slipping, tripping, or falling because of a dangerous condition on the property, such as a wet floor, a cracked or uneven sidewalk, a broken railing, or an unsecured ladder. The property owner or occupier must have had notice or knowledge of the condition, or should have had knowledge of the condition if they had taken reasonable steps to ensure safety. In order to prevail in a slip and fall lawsuit, the injured person must prove that the property owner or occupier was negligent in maintaining the premises and that their negligence was the direct cause of the accident and the resulting injuries. The injured person must also prove that they sustained actual damages, such as medical bills and lost wages, as a result of the accident.

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What is the legal definition of a “slip and fall”?

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