Though summer’s still a long way off, many of us are already contemplating our holiday rentals. The best ones get filled up early on and hence, it’s wise to book well ahead.

While it’s great to be on a holiday where everything goes like a dream, things can take a devastating turn if someone suffers serious injuries in a slip and fall accident.

An unfamiliar holiday home and terrain, rotten floor-boards on a pier, missing hand-rails at the edge of a scenic ravine or water-fall, badly-maintained holiday cottage stairs or steps and a variety of hidden hazards can all result in an unforeseen slip and fall accident.

If you have seniors and children in the group, the consequences of a fall can be even more serious. Injuries that occur through no fault of yours can have a significant impact on your finances, mental and physical well-being.

Contact an experienced Barrie personal injury lawyer if you or a loved one sustains injuries in a slip and fall accident. Accidents are usually avoidable and preventable. Most of them are caused by someone’s fault or negligence. Those responsible for the accident can be held liable for the damages and injuries and compensation has to be paid to the injured if negligence and liability are proved.

Who’s Liable in the Case of Holiday Rentals?

Slip and fall accident liability is a particularly complex area of tort law, as there are several legal, medical and insurance issues involved. Premises liability principles and the Ontario Occupier’s Liability Act deem that the property owner, landlord or business owner is ultimately responsible for the maintenance of the property. Third parties like housekeeping services, snow-removal services or property maintenance contractors etc hired by the owner can also be held responsible if they haven’t fulfilled their duties.

Proving that the owner was responsible for the conditions that resulted in the accident can be quite challenging. An experienced Barrie personal injury lawyer with expertise in dealing with similar cases can provide the right assistance.

For a claim to be successful, it must be proven that:

• The owner had control over the situation that resulted in the accident
• The hazardous condition could have been repaired
• Serious injuries could logically be foreseen as a result of the hazardous condition
• Failure to take reasonable steps to repair the condition caused the victim to slip and fall, sustaining injuries

Ensuring A Successful Outcome

There are some important factors that can enhance your chances of a successful outcome to your compensation claim:

• Document and report the accident immediately
• Report in writing to someone in authority and get an acknowledgment if possible
• Send the report only after you’ve taken photographs of the exact location, your injuries and reason for accident
• Visit a doctor immediately, however minor you consider your injuries to be
• Take all prescribed medication and treatments
• Preserve all bills, list of expenses connected with the accident, the clothes and footwear worn
• Get contact details of witnesses if any

Avoid posting on social media or talking to at-fault parties without involving your personal injury lawyer