Falls and accidents at home or on public roads

Falls and accidents at home, in businesses or on public roads are common events that often give rise to claims against communities, town councils, businesses or insurers. Although they may seem simple facts, they require a technical analysis to determine the material cause of the event and its compatibility with the alleged injuries.

The expert report organizes the case from a technical point of view and provides objective criteria to the claim.

Common situations

• Falls due to pavement defects on sidewalks, squares or parks.
• Slips due to humidity, spilled liquids or poor floors.
• Trips due to poorly marked elements.
• Falls in common areas of communities of owners.
• Impacts from detached or poorly fixed elements.

What is analyzed

• Condition of the pavement, stairs or elements involved.
• Lighting, visibility and signage of the environment.
• Presence of obstacles or unnoticeable projections.
• Maintenance of the element that caused the accident.
• Compatibility between the described mechanism and the documented injuries.

Pavement condition

Poor pavements are a frequent cause of complaints. The report studies:

• Cracks, projections or depressions with measurable height or depth.
• Roughness and slip coefficient of the material.
• Compatibility with applicable technical regulations.
• Reasonable state of conservation and maintenance.

A small highlight may seem irrelevant. In technical terms, a gap greater than certain values ​​can be considered an objective risk, as long as it is not noticeable.

Lighting and signage

On public roads or common areas, lighting and signage are determining elements:

• Lighting level at the point of the accident.
• Existence of preventive signage.
• Warning about work, construction or maintenance.
• Visual contrast of the obstacle.

Injury compatibility

The complementary biomechanical study assesses whether the forces and trajectories of the described event are consistent with the injuries documented in the initial medical reports.

Useful documentation

• Photographs of the accident site, taken as soon as possible.
• Initial medical reports and evolution.
• Complaint or communication to the person responsible for the space.
• Witnesses and their contact information.
• Communications with the community, town hall or business.

When is a report appropriate?

• When the community, business or city council deny responsibility.
• When the insurer rejects the claim.
• When there is controversy about the mechanism of the accident.
• When a civil or administrative claim is raised.

Coordination with lawyer

The claim for civil, patrimonial or community liability has deadlines and formal requirements. Coordination with a lawyer allows the report to be directed towards legally relevant issues.

Limits

The report describes the technical condition of the site and its compatibility with the event. It does not set compensation or assess legal culpability.

Next steps

• Please refer to the full process.
• Review the reconstruction specialty.
• Contact from contact or the help center.