We rarely think of laundromats as dangerous, yet a combination of soap, water and electrical machines create the potential for serious injuries. Slips, trips, and falls are common causes of Madison laundromat injuries.
Like all Wisconsin business owners, laundromat owners have a duty to provide a safe environment for customers and to protect or warn customers about any known dangers. Since soap spills are to be expected in a laundromat, it would make sense to have a staff member who posts warning signs and cleans up spills before they can cause injury. It would also make sense to clean floors regularly, so soap spills don’t dry and cause slippery patches.
Because your injury was caused by a dangerous condition at the laundromat, you may be able to successfully sue the laundromat owner for any damages associated with your injured arm. However, you and your Madison personal injury lawyer will have to prove the following:
- Your injuries were caused by a dangerous condition at the laundromat (soap spill).
- The owner either knew about the dangerous condition, or he should have known about it and failed to warn about or correct the dangerous situation (the owner did not clean the spill or post warning signs).
Comparative negligence
While the laundromat owner has a duty to protect patrons from known dangers, laundromat customers also have a duty to avoid obvious dangers. If you slip after purposely walking through a pile of powdered detergent, the property owner may claim that the accident was partly your fault. If the jury agrees, they will reduce your settlement by a percentage proportional to your share of the blame.
The Madison slip and fall injury lawyers at Hupy and Abraham advise that anyone who is seriously at a laundromat or other business consult with a personal injury lawyer. You may have a Wisconsin premises liability claim. To schedule a free consultation with a slip and fall attorney in Madison, contact Hupy and Abraham at 1-888-277-4879.