Serving Plaintiff & Defense Attorneys Nationwide
(702) 696-8745Expert Witness Services
Ryan Dahlstrom provides expert opinions on slip, trip, and fall cases in hospitality and entertainment venues. With 35+ years managing the physical operations of bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and hotels, he understands the maintenance standards and operational practices that govern safe premises in the hospitality industry.
35+
Years Venue Operations
ASIS
Security Certified
50+
States — Nationwide
P & D
Plaintiff & Defense
Slip, trip, and fall cases in bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and entertainment venues present unique challenges that distinguish them from falls in retail or office settings. The combination of alcohol service, dim lighting, crowded conditions, and high-traffic floor surfaces creates a complex environment where the standard of care for floor maintenance and hazard prevention is both well-established and frequently violated.
The central question in these cases is whether the establishment knew or should have known about the hazardous condition and failed to take reasonable corrective action. In a busy bar or nightclub, spilled beverages are foreseeable — the question is whether the establishment had adequate protocols for identifying and addressing them. Ryan Dahlstrom has personally managed the floor operations of high-volume venues and knows exactly what reasonable protocols look like.
What makes Ryan's opinions particularly valuable in these cases is his understanding of how alcohol service operations intersect with floor safety. When a patron spills a drink on a dance floor at midnight, what is the reasonable response time for a staff member to address it? What type of matting is appropriate for a bar service area? What lighting level is adequate for safe patron navigation? These are operational questions that require an expert with real venue management experience.
Whether the establishment's floor surfaces, mats, and transitions met applicable safety standards for the venue type
Whether the hazardous condition — spilled liquid, uneven flooring, inadequate matting — was known or should have been known to the operator
Whether the establishment's cleaning and inspection protocols were adequate and consistently followed
Whether adequate warning signs were posted or other precautions taken when a hazardous condition existed
Whether lighting levels in the area of the incident were adequate for safe patron navigation
Whether the physical layout — steps, ramps, transitions, and pathways — met applicable standards
Whether the establishment's alcohol service operations contributed to the hazardous condition
Whether the incident was foreseeable given the venue's operations and prior incident history
Spilled beverages on bar and dance floor surfaces
Wet floors near restrooms, service areas, and entrances
Inadequate or missing floor mats at entry points
Uneven transitions between flooring materials
Poorly lit stairways, steps, and level changes
Outdoor patio and pool deck hazards
Parking lot and walkway conditions
Ice and condensation near bar service areas
Review of incident reports, maintenance logs, and cleaning schedules
Analysis of surveillance footage for the hazardous condition, patron movement, and incident timeline
Evaluation of flooring materials, mats, transitions, and surface conditions
Assessment of lighting levels and visibility in the incident area
Review of prior similar incidents and management response history
Evaluation of how alcohol service operations contributed to floor conditions
Comprehensive written expert report suitable for Rule 26 disclosure
Deposition and trial testimony available in any jurisdiction
Has personally managed floor operations at high-volume bars, nightclubs, and restaurants — including cleaning protocols, matting, and hazard response.
Security certification adds credibility to opinions involving physical safety, lighting, and premises conditions.
Works for both sides. Opinions are grounded in the facts of each case, not the desired outcome.
Opinions grounded in industry standards, regulatory requirements, and documented operational practices.
Has provided deposition and trial testimony in multiple jurisdictions.
Available for case review, site inspection, deposition, and trial testimony in all 50 states.
Ready to Retain?
Contact Ryan today for a confidential case evaluation. Serving plaintiff and defense attorneys in all 50 states.