Paula Abdul recently agreed to settle a slip and fall claim for $900,000 involving a woman who was a part of the production team on her reality series, Hey Paula.  The woman who fell claimed that Ms. Abdul’s driveway “was in a dangerous and defective condition.”

The high profile, high paying settlement serves as a reminder to all homeowners that there are circumstances when they are responsible for the safety and well-being of guests on their property as well as in their homes.

Every state has different laws regarding liability for slip and fall accidents that occur on the property.  Differences between the laws include whether the victim was invited onto the property or is trespassing, and how well the property is being maintained.  In order to prove liability or fault in the case of slip and fall accidents, negligence generally must be shown.