CNN's star anchor Anderson Cooper is finding out the price of negligence on his premises. He is being sued by a New York interior designer who says that she was injured when she had a fall at a fire house that the star was turning into a home. According to the Associated Press, the firehouse where the accident occurred, was built back in 1906, and was home to the Fire Patrol. Anderson purchased the property, and proceeded to convert it into a home. Interior designer Killian O' Brien alleges in her suit that she took a fall down a hole that had once housed the fireman's pole. The pole had apparently been removed, but the hole had not been covered. O Brien fell 17 feet into the hole. Her lawyer says that she was lucky to have survived the fall at all. The fall accident occurred in September 2009. The suit also names the developer of the building. Slip and fall accidents may seem minor to someone who has never suffered one, but as California slip and fall accident lawyers know, these accidents can leave a person with serious injuries. A fall accident can occur anywhere - at someone else's house, a mall, restaurant, hotel or any other commercial establishment. Victims can suffer from serious injuries that include: Fractures Broken bones Wounds Blunt force trauma injuries Amputations Head injuries Brain injuries Spinal cord injuries Some of these injuries may be treatable, and may cause the person short term hardship, pain and discomfort, but may not lead to long term suffering or losses. However, other types of injuries commonly seen in a slip and fall accident like head injuries or spinal injuries, can have long term consequences and may not be easily treated or even completely treated at all. Premises owners are required to maintain safe premises for all guests, customers, visitors etc. Making the premises safe doesn't have to mean that the premises has to be brand new. It could be an older property. It doesn't even have to mean the property is perfect in every way. What it does mean is that the property must have reasonable safeguards that protect persons or visitors from injuries, and prevent accidents. The floors must be covered with a non slippery material that provides traction and prevents slipping. Some kinds of natural floors like granite floors, can encourage slipping. Such floors must be covered with other material that provides traction. Floors must be free of obstructions. This is especially true of retail spaces where there are likely to be unopened storage boxes or cartons lying in shopping aisles. People could easily trip and fall over the boxes, causing injuries. Stairways must be well lit. Stairs must be well constructed as to prevent falls. Merchandise in retail spaces and malls must be stacked properly to prevent them from falling on someone, and causing injuries. The premises must be well lit with no dark corners and confined spaces. The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of slip and fall. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us. The Reeves Law Group is not acting as legal counsel for any party in the matters discussed in this posting.