Premises Liability & Slip, Trip and Fall Analysis in Miami, FL
Engineering investigation of walking surfaces, stairs, ramps, elevation changes, and other site conditions associated with slip, trip, and fall incidents. Conditions are measured, documented, and evaluated against applicable codes, accessibility requirements, and industry standards to support technically sound opinions regarding the reported incident.
COF
FRICTION MEASUREMENT
ADA
ACCESSIBILITY REVIEW
FBC
stairs/guardrail/ramp compliance review
PE
signed and sealed
OVERVIEW
Physical Conditions Evaluated Through Measurement, Documentation & Engineering Analysis
Premises liability investigations often depend on specific physical characteristics of the incident location, including walking-surface conditions, slip resistance, changes in elevation, stair and ramp geometry, handrail and guardrail configuration, lighting, drainage, and other site-specific conditions. These characteristics can be documented, measured, and evaluated against applicable technical requirements.
We inspect the incident location, document relevant conditions, perform dimensional and slip-resistance measurements when appropriate, and evaluate the observed conditions with reference to applicable building codes, accessibility requirements, industry standards, and other technical criteria in effect at the relevant time. Our findings provide a technically supported assessment of the conditions present at the site and their relationship to the reported incident.
Site Inspection & Field Measurements
Code, Accessibility & Standards Evaluation
Maintenance & Available Records Review
Plaintiff & Defense Litigation Support
Expert Witness
Milestone Inspections
Litigation support, forensic reports and courtroom testimony for insurers, attorneys and property owners.
Premises Liability
06
10-, 30- and 40-year recertifications, threshold inspections and structural condition assessments.
05
Slip, trip and fall evaluations and site-condition analysis for insurers and litigation counsel.
04
WHAT WE EVALUATE
Physical Conditions Commonly Evaluated in Slip, Trip & Fall and Premises Liability Matters
01
Slip Resistance of Walking Surfaces
Slip-resistance evaluation and dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF) testing of tile, terrazzo, concrete, pool decks, coated surfaces, and other hard-surface flooring using recognized test methods, including ANSI A326.3 and the BOT-3000E where applicable.
02
Stairs, Ramps, Handrails & Guardrails
Evaluation of riser and tread geometry and uniformity, nosing configuration, ramp slope and transitions, handrail height and graspability, guard height, openings, and other applicable dimensional requirements.
03
Trip Hazards & Changes in Elevation
Measurement and evaluation of sidewalk displacement, settled or uneven pavers, thresholds, transition strips, surface irregularities, and abrupt changes in elevation along pedestrian routes and parking areas.
04
Lighting & Visibility Conditions
Evaluation of illumination levels at stairs, walkways, entrances, parking areas, and other pedestrian locations, including visibility, contrast, and visual cues associated with changes in elevation.
05
Drainage & Water Accumulation
Evaluation of ponding, surface slopes, drainage patterns, roof or canopy discharge, and other conditions that may contribute to recurring water accumulation along pedestrian surfaces.
06
Structural & Component Failures
Evaluation of railing and guard failures, balcony and deck conditions, damaged or broken stair components, and other structural or building-component conditions associated with reported incidents or injuries.
CLAIM EVALUATION PROCESS
From Initial Assignment to Engineering Findings & Opinions
Step 1
Case & Document Review
Available incident reports, photographs, witness information, maintenance and repair records, construction documents, prior inspections, and other relevant materials are reviewed to identify the technical issues requiring evaluation.
Step 2
Site Inspection & Testing
The incident location and relevant site conditions are documented through field measurements, photographs, and appropriate testing. Depending on the matter, this may include dimensional measurements, slope and elevation surveys, slip-resistance testing, lighting measurements, or other applicable investigative methods.
Step 3
Code, Standards & Technical Analysis
Observed and measured conditions are evaluated with reference to applicable building codes, accessibility requirements, industry standards, construction documents, and other technical criteria relevant to the property and incident.
Step 4
Engineering Opinions & Litigation Support
Findings and engineering opinions are documented in an appropriate technical report when required by the engagement. For litigation matters, additional services may include consultation with counsel, review of opposing expert opinions, deposition testimony, and trial support.
2023 — 2026
2019 — 2023
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions About Premises Liability Evaluations
How significant does a change in elevation need to be?
The significance of a change in elevation depends on its height, configuration, location, and the codes, accessibility requirements, and other technical standards applicable to the property and incident. Certain accessibility standards establish specific criteria for vertical changes in level, including requirements for transitions exceeding ¼ inch. We measure the actual condition and evaluate it against the technical requirements applicable to the circumstances.
Can you evaluate a condition that has already been repaired or altered?
Often, yes. When the original condition is no longer available for direct inspection, photographs, videos, measurements, repair documentation, construction drawings, permits, maintenance records, witness information, and remaining adjacent conditions may provide useful evidence for evaluating the pre-repair condition. Whenever possible, inspection before alteration or repair allows the physical conditions to be documented directly.
Do you accept both plaintiff and defense assignments?
Yes. We provide premises liability evaluations for both plaintiff and defense matters. Our engineering opinions are developed from field measurements, testing, available documentation, applicable codes and standards, and engineering analysis, regardless of which party retains us.
Premises Liability
Slip, trip and fall evaluations and walking-surface analysis.
Related engineering services
Forensic Engineering
Root-cause investigation of structural and component failures.
Expert Witness
Deposition and trial testimony in premises liability matters.
Milestone Inspections
Identify unsafe balcony, railing, and walkway conditions early.
Need an Engineer for a Slip, Trip or Fall Matter?
Send us the incident location and available documentation. We’ll review the circumstances, determine what conditions can be evaluated or tested, and outline the appropriate next steps.
