Slip and fall accidents account for the second-highest quantity of claims after car accidents in Nevada. Accidents as a result of slip and fall can cause severe physical injuries such as:

• Soft tissue injuries
• Head injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones and fractures
• Chronic pain
• Knee injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries

Though some accidents are inevitable, the property owner may be liable for a slip and fall accident claim if they fail to follow or violate building codes. So, the property owner may be held responsible for the victim’s injuries if the slip and fall accident occurred because of building code violations.

Property owners must follow building code standards. These rules and codes are formed to promote safety and avoid hazardous conditions. Federal and state governments mandate that buildings be built and maintained according to the provided codes and safety standards to minimize danger and lower the risk of injuries and fatalities. The construction and property maintenance rules apply to residential and commercial buildings and homes. Regrettably, violation of building codes is more common than you think.

Common Building Code Violations

Common building code violations include:

• Uneven staircase
• No handrails or old and poorly installed handrails
• Handrails at an inappropriate height
• Missing or broken handrails
• Warped or rotten wooden stairs
• Insufficient lighting
• Slick surface with no slip-resistant mats
• Downspouts resulting in creating pool water and ice patches
• Improper elevator and escalator maintenance
• Ice or snow around the premises left untreated or neglected
• Improper lighting by curbs and stairs
• Leaky ceilings
• Fluctuating distances between stairs

How Code Violation Affects Your Slip and Fall Accident Case and Steps to Pursue Claim in Nevada?

According to Nevada law, you can file a slip and fall accident claim if the accident was caused due to the property owner’s negligence. The property owner can be held liable for failing to conform to building codes in property construction and maintenance. Hence if you can prove that a building code breach led to the injuries, then negligence per se can quickly be established.  

For example, if the premises owner failed to install lights around their office staircase according to the building codes, and you fall the stairs while walking down, you can assert the negligence per se assumption.

However, when filing a slip and fall accident claim in Nevada, you must establish all four elements to prove negligence. These include:

1. The property’s condition was dangerous.
2. The property owner knew or should’ve known the danger
3. The property owner could have rectified the condition but didn’t
4. You sustained injuries because the property owner failed to address the dangerous condition

The best way to do this is to hire an experienced slip-and-fall accident attorney in Nevada. Call us at (800)870-8910 for case consultation and legal representation. We will identify and even prove that a building code violation led to your fall. We will investigate the accident scene and collect evidence like CCTV footage and witness statements.

Moreover, our slip and fall accident lawyer will review and research building code files to file crucial insights related to the applicable violation. We will go the extra mile to get you justice and rightfully compensated.

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