Slip and Fall on a Recently Mopped Linoleum Staircase Leads to Injury

Case Overview

This case involves an adult individual who sustained injuries after slipping on a linoleum staircase within their apartment complex. The incident occurred in June, with the plaintiff alleging negligence on the part of property management or janitorial service.

The staircase had been recently mopped, but no wet floor signage was displayed to alert residents of the potential slip risk. This case seeks to explore the standard of care expected from janitorial services when cleaning linoleum floors and notifying passersby of wet surfaces.

Questions to the Commercial Cleaning expert and their responses

Please describe your professional background in janitorial services.

I have been immersed in the commercial janitorial industry since 1971, spanning over five decades. My experience includes owning and operating two commercial janitor businesses from 1976 until 2012. After selling these companies, I served as a consultant to the buyer for four years before launching my current company in 2017.

My responsibilities have consistently involved overseeing day-to-day operations, including training cleaning staff on proper cleaning procedures and safety protocols when servicing customer sites.

What is the standard of care for safely cleaning linoleum floors and notifying passersby of the wet floor?

When it comes to safely cleaning linoleum floors, particularly staircases, there are specific steps that must be followed to prevent accidents. Once cleaned, these areas should be cordoned off until they are completely dry. Additionally, caution signs indicating a wet floor should be positioned at each entrance and exit to the staircase or area being cleaned. This practice ensures that individuals are adequately warned about potential slip hazards.

Have you ever reviewed a similar case? If yes, please elaborate.

Throughout my career, I've been involved in numerous cases where the standard of care in janitorial services was under scrutiny. However, each case is unique and requires a thorough examination of the specific circumstances surrounding the incident.

About the expert

This expert boasts over five decades of experience in commercial cleaning services, underpinned by a BA in Business Administration. They have owned and operated three commercial cleaning companies, serving as the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Operations at two major firms. Currently, they own and direct operations at a commercial cleaning company, where they also offer consulting services on cleaning issues and procedures.

E-053537

Specialties:

Commercial Cleaning

Zach Barreto is a distinguished professional in the legal industry, currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Research at the Expert Institute. With a deep understanding of a broad range of legal practice areas, Zach's expertise encompasses personal injury, medical malpractice, mass torts, defective products, and many other sectors. His skills are particularly evident in handling complex litigation matters, including high-profile cases like the Opioids litigation, NFL Concussion Litigation, California Wildfires, 3M earplugs, Elmiron, Transvaginal Mesh, NFL Concussion Litigation, Roundup, Camp Lejeune, Hernia Mesh, IVC filters, Paraquat, Paragard, Talcum Powder, Zantac, and many others.

Under his leadership, the Expert Institute’s research team has expanded impressively from a single member to a robust team of 100 professionals over the last decade. This growth reflects his ability to navigate the intricate and demanding landscape of legal research and expert recruitment effectively. Zach has been instrumental in working on nationally significant litigation matters, including cases involving pharmaceuticals, medical devices, toxic chemical exposure, and wrongful death, among others.

At the Expert Institute, Zach is responsible for managing all aspects of the research department and developing strategic institutional relationships. He plays a key role in equipping attorneys for success through expert consulting, case management, strategic research, and expert due diligence provided by the Institute’s cloud-based legal services platform, Expert iQ.

Educationally, Zach holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and European History from Vanderbilt University.