Slip and fall accidents can happen in a split second at any time. This includes at your church, synagogue, mosque, meditation center, or other place you go for spiritual worship and fellowship. Under Virginia law, places of worship are responsible for compensating you for your injuries if their negligence caused your injuries.
Leading Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents at Places of Worship
Churches and other places of worship have the same duties as other property owners and businesses to maintain their properties in a safe condition, correct hazardous conditions promptly, and to post warnings of slip and fall dangers. Here are common ways they breach these duties:
- Lighting. Many places of worship keep the lights dim to create an atmosphere of spiritual contemplation. However, inadequate lighting can make it impossible to see slip and fall hazards before it is too late to avoid a dangerous fall.
- Floors. Many churches have tile or marble floors and steps leading to upper floors. These floors can become dangerously slippery, especially after they have been cleaned.
- Insufficient staff. Many places of worship rely on volunteers to help at services and at other times. They may not have the training or time to clean up spills promptly, put out warning signs, or take other actions to remove slip and fall hazards.
- Maintenance. Churches are nonprofit organizations who often rely on their members for funding. When the budget is tight, a church could decide to put off needed maintenance and repairs, including repairs to the flooring, parking lots, and sidewalks.
Should You File a Claim Against Your Church?
It is always more difficult emotionally to file a claim for compensation when you are injured at a family member’s or friend’s home. The same holds true if you are hurt in a slip and fall accident at your place of worship.
As a nonprofit organization that has employees and assets, your church most likely has liability insurance. It is important to remember that your claim is with their insurance company, and they will be paying you the compensation you deserve, not the church. In addition, if your place of worship was negligent, they should be responsible for their actions and for paying you for your losses under Virginia law.
Were you injured in a slip and fall accident at a church? Let our dedicated premises liability attorneys help you every step of the way in filing your claim and fighting for the compensation you deserve. We have over 30 years of experience helping accident victims successfully settle their claims. To learn more about how we can help you, call our Norfolk office to schedule a free consultation today.
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