B. S. Johnson Law Slip and Fall Accidents: The Physics of Premises Liability

Wet Floor Accidents

Friction Coefficients and Constructive Notice

A wet floor is a trap. When a liquid coats a hard surface, it acts as a lubricant, reducing the friction your shoe relies on to grip the floor. If a store employee mopped the floor but failed to place a "Wet Floor" sign, they created an invisible hazard.

We investigate not just the spill, but the response. We subpoena cleaning logs and security footage to prove "constructive notice"—showing that the spill was there long enough for the store to have discovered and cleaned it, yet they failed to act.

Uneven Sidewalks

Trip Hazards and Elevation Changes

A difference in elevation of less than an inch can be enough to catch a toe and send a pedestrian tumbling. Uneven sidewalks often result from tree roots pushing up concrete, settling soil, or poor initial construction. We analyze the height of the defect against municipal building codes.

If a property owner or municipality ignored a crumbling walkway that they knew was dangerous, we hold them responsible for the facial fractures, wrist injuries, and knee trauma that result from the fall.

Staircase Accidents

Geometry, Codes, and Kinetic Energy

Stairs are engineered systems. They must adhere to strict building codes regarding "riser" height (the vertical step) and "tread" depth (the horizontal step). If a staircase has uneven risers—where one step is 7 inches and the next is 8 inches—it disrupts your body’s subconscious gait rhythm, causing a misstep.

We measure these dimensions to the millimeter. We also examine the handrails: were they secure? Did they extend the full length of the flight? If the stairs were not up to code, the fall was not your fault.

Parking Lot Accidents

Maintenance Beyond the Front Door 

A business’s responsibility does not end at the entrance. Parking lots are frequent sites of injury due to deep potholes, cracked asphalt, and crumbling wheel stops. In Virginia winters, the failure to remove snow and ice is a critical issue.

We investigate the property management contracts to determine who was responsible for snow removal and maintenance. If they left the lot in a state of disrepair or failed to salt the ice within a reasonable time after a storm, they are liable for your injuries.

Grocery Store Accidents

High-Traffic Hazards and Spills

Grocery stores are controlled environments that should be safe, yet they are full of hazards. From leaking freezer cases to grapes dropped in the produce aisle, the risks are everywhere.

These cases often turn on the concept of "reasonable care." Did the store conduct regular safety sweeps? Was the mat at the entrance saturated with rain, creating a puddle instead of absorbing one? We demand the surveillance video that shows exactly how long that hazard existed before you encountered it, preventing the store from deleting the evidence of their negligence.

Inadequate Lighting Falls

The Danger of What You Cannot See

You cannot avoid a hazard you cannot see. Property owners have a duty to ensure that walkways, stairwells, and parking garages are properly illuminated. If a burnt-out bulb or poor lighting design hid a step-down or an obstacle, the lack of light is the proximate cause of the accident.

We visit the scene to measure light levels (lumens) and compare them to safety standards. We argue that by failing to change a lightbulb, the owner chose to endanger every person who walked through that space.

Escalator Accidents (Falls)

Mechanical Failure and Maintenance Negligence

Escalators are heavy machinery that we trust with our lives. Accidents here can be catastrophic, involving sudden stops that throw riders forward or "comb plate" failures that entrap shoelaces or clothing.

These are rarely simple "trips." They are often mechanical failures caused by skipped maintenance. Ms. Johnson’s engineering background allows us to review the maintenance logs and mechanic reports to see if the machine was showing warning signs that were ignored to save money.

Deck & Porch Collapses

Structural Load and Material Failure

A deck collapse is one of the most terrifying premises liability events, often injuring multiple people at once. These accidents are almost always a result of structural failure—rotting wood, rusted fasteners, or improper attachment to the main house (ledger board failure).

We analyze the materials and the construction methods used. We determine if the deck was built to code and if the owner ignored visible signs of decay. When a structure fails under normal use, it is not an accident; it is negligence.