What happens if the property owner denies responsibility for a slip and fall accident?

In Massachusetts, when a property owner denies responsibility for a slip and fall accident, the injured party can take legal action. If the responsible party denies blame, the injured person must prove that the property owner was negligent in some way. This means that the property owner knew or should have known about the potential danger, but failed to take measures to prevent the hazard or provide a warning. In order to do this, the injured party must show that the property was not reasonably safe or that the property owner had actual knowledge of the hazard. This may include evidence that the hazard was visible, such as a broken stair or ripped carpeting, or evidence that the hazard had previously been reported by other people. There are a few legal defenses that a property owner may use. They may argue that the injured party was negligent in not noticing the hazard or that the hazard was so open and obvious that it was the responsibility of the injured party to avoid it. The property owner may also argue that the injured person assumed the risk of any potential hazards. Even if the property owner is able to prove that their negligence did not cause the slip and fall accident, the injured person may still be able to recover damages. In Massachusetts, the court will consider the percentage of responsibility allocated to each party and award damages accordingly.

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