A claimant alleges a slip and fall on a store's wet floor. What must the adjuster establish to determine if the insured (store) is liable?

LIABILITY CLAIM ANALYSIS requires all four NEGLIGENCE ELEMENTS:

Duty: Stores owe invitees (customers) a duty of reasonable care — to maintain safe premises.

Breach: Was the floor wet for an unreasonable period without warning signs or cleanup? Did the store have constructive notice (should have known)?.

Causation: Did the wet floor directly cause the fall? (not some other factor).

Damages: Did the claimant suffer actual compensable harm (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering)?.

Comparative fault: If the claimant was partly responsible (not watching where walking, wet shoes, distracted by phone), damages may be reduced proportionally.

Investigation: Obtain incident report, surveillance video, witness statements, maintenance logs, and medical records before making coverage or liability determination.