Winter months bring unique flooring hazards that many retailers underestimate. As a Retail Expert Witness, I’ve investigated countless slip-and-fall injuries caused by wet tiles, improper mats, worn flooring, and inadequate maintenance procedures.
The most common winter flooring failures include:
- Wet entrances with no absorbent mats or improperly placed mats
- Mats that curl, bunch, or slide on smooth surfaces
- Uneven transitions between carpet and tile
- Worn grout lines or loose tile
- Water trails leading from entrances toward merchandise areas
- Failure to use slip-resistant cleaning agents
One of the first things I look for during a virtual inspection is whether the store followed a consistent, documented floor-care protocol. Winter weather makes this essential. Retailers must anticipate increased moisture, snow, and traffic, and implement preventive measures to protect guests.
When these protocols are ignored or performed inconsistently, the risk to customers increases dramatically.
My role for injury attorneys is to analyze:
- Flooring material and slip resistance
- Maintenance logs (or lack of them)
- Placement of warning signs
- Interior sightlines
- Employee response times
- Whether industry standards were followed
If you have a winter slip-and-fall case involving flooring issues, I’m available to review evidence or conduct a virtual inspection. I can typically provide an initial opinion within 48 hours. 1-917-691-4853 or fill out the form below.
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