“Wet Floor” Signs and Their Impact on Slip and Fall Accident Cases: A Medical Expert Witness Perspective

Slip and fall accidents are often dismissed as minor incidents. From a medical expert witness and neurological standpoint, however, these events can generate sufficient biomechanical forces to cause traumatic brain injury (TBI)—even when warning signs such as “Wet Floor” notices are present.

In legal cases, the presence of a warning sign may influence premises liability arguments, but it does not eliminate the possibility of neurological injury nor replace the need for expert medical analysis when injury causation and damages are disputed.

Mechanism of Injury: A Key Issue in Legal Cases

A sudden loss of balance can produce rapid acceleration–deceleration and rotational forces. From an expert witness perspective, these forces are recognized mechanisms for:

• Concussion or mild traumatic brain injury

• Cerebral contusions

• Diffuse axonal injury related to rotational stress

Critically, direct head impact is not required for brain injury to occur—an important consideration when injury severity is challenged in litigation.

In many slip and fall cases, CT scans and standard MRI studies are reported as normal. From a medical expert witness standpoint:

• Normal imaging does not rule out brain injury

• Functional neurological impairment may still be present

• Clinical correlation and longitudinal assessment are essential

Microscopic axonal injury, neuroinflammation, and network-level dysfunction frequently fall below the resolution of routine imaging but can significantly affect cognition, balance, and occupational functioning.

Symptom Progression and Causation Analysis

Neurological symptoms may appear immediately or evolve over time, including:

• Cognitive slowing or executive dysfunction

• Headaches, dizziness, or visual disturbances

• Memory and attention deficits

• Balance or gait instability

• Mood or behavioral changes

Delayed symptom onset is well-documented in TBI and should be carefully evaluated when determining medical causation in legal cases.

Final Medical Expert Witness Perspective

Whether or not a “Wet Floor” sign was present, expert evaluation must focus on:

• The mechanism of injury

• The temporal progression of symptoms

• The functional neurological impact on daily life and work capacity

Medical expert witness analysis plays a critical role in clarifying injury severity, causation, and long-term consequences in slip and fall litigation.

For legal case review, expert medical opinions, or medical expert witness consultation, please contact:

📩 doctor.claudia@gmail.com

📩 info@drclaudiamunoz.com

Dr. Claudia Muñoz, MD, MPH

Neurologist | Medical Expert Witness