Can You Recover Compensation for a Slip and Fall if There Was a Wet Floor Sign?

Understanding Liability When Warnings Are Present

Slipping and falling in a public place can lead to serious injuries like broken bones, concussions, and spinal damage, and it often raises one big question: who is responsible? If you were injured in a store, restaurant, or other business and noticed a “wet floor” sign nearby, you might assume you don’t have a case. But the truth is, a warning sign doesn’t automatically let the property owner off the hook.

In Colorado, the presence of a wet floor sign is a factor, but it doesn’t always eliminate liability. Whether you can sue depends on the specifics of your situation: how the warning was placed, whether it was visible, and whether the property owner took other reasonable steps to prevent harm.

If you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall incident in Colorado Springs, it’s worth exploring your legal options before making assumptions. You may still have a valid claim.

What the Wet Floor Sign Really Means

Businesses use wet floor signs as a way to warn people of hazards and limit liability. However, they are not a legal shield. A warning sign must be:

• Clearly visible: If the sign was tucked into a corner or not easily noticeable from where you walked, it may not meet the legal standard for adequate warning.
• Placed appropriately: The sign must be near the actual hazard. If you slipped far from where the sign was located, the warning may have been ineffective.
• Used in conjunction with other safety measures: Relying on a sign alone without cleaning the floor promptly or blocking off the area may still be considered negligent.

In short, a sign is only one piece of the puzzle. Property owners still have a duty to maintain safe conditions and act reasonably to prevent foreseeable injuries.

How Colorado Law Handles Slip and Fall Liability

Colorado premises liability law holds property owners responsible when someone is injured due to unsafe conditions they knew or should have known about. This applies to businesses, landlords, government buildings, and even private property owners under certain circumstances.

To successfully sue for a slip and fall injury, you must generally prove that:

• The property owner owed you a duty of care (as a customer or invited guest).
• They failed to maintain reasonably safe conditions or failed to warn of known hazards.
• Their negligence caused your injury.

Even if a wet floor sign was present, it doesn’t excuse the property owner if:

• The floor was excessively slippery or dangerous beyond what the sign warned.
• They failed to clean the hazard in a reasonable amount of time.
• You had no practical way to avoid the hazard while on the premises.

This is why each case needs a careful investigation. An attorney can help determine whether the warning sign was adequate or just an attempt to avoid liability without addressing the real risk.

What Happens If the Insurance Company Denies Your Claim?

Businesses and their insurance providers often use wet floor signs as a quick excuse to reject injury claims. They might say, “We posted a sign so we’re not liable.” But that’s not the end of the story.

If you receive a denial, don’t give up. You still have the right to:

• Collect evidence from the scene, including photos of the sign and the hazard.
• Request surveillance footage (if available).
• Get witness statements from others who were nearby.
• Consult a slip and fall attorney who can evaluate the strength of your claim.

In many cases, the insurance company is hoping you’ll accept their decision without a fight. Having legal representation can pressure them to take your case seriously and often results in a better outcome.

What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident

If you’ve fallen in a place where a wet floor sign was posted, don’t assume it’s your fault or that you have no case. Here’s what to do:

• Report the accident immediately: Notify the manager or property owner and ask for a copy of the incident report if possible.
• Take photos: Document the condition of the floor, the location of the warning sign, and the general environment around the hazard.
• Seek medical care: Even minor injuries can worsen over time. Prompt treatment also strengthens your case.
• Avoid giving recorded statements to insurers: Without legal advice, you might say something that undermines your case.
• Contact an attorney: A slip and fall lawyer can review the facts and help you determine if the property owner failed in their duty of care.

At Pribila & Fields, we help clients in Colorado Springs understand their rights and fight back when businesses try to avoid accountability. We know how to build strong premises liability claims, even when warning signs are involved.

Contact Pribila & Fields today for your Slip and Fall Case

Don’t let a wet floor sign stop you from getting the compensation you deserve. If you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall accident, there may be more to the story, and you deserve to have your case reviewed by someone who understands Colorado law.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your legal options, and fight to hold negligent property owners accountable for your injuries.