Slip and fall accidents are pretty common in the US and can happen just about anywhere. These incidents might seem minor, but they can lead to some serious injuries, causing a lot of trouble in our lives.
Whether it’s at home, a restaurant, a store, or even an office, it’s the responsibility of the property owners to keep these places safe for everyone.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. But to get the justice you deserve, you need to know your rights and how to protect them.
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What Are Slip and Fall Accidents?
A slip and fall accident is precisely as it sounds – a situation where someone slips and falls, resulting in an injury.
Legal action, with the help of a slip and fall lawyer, may ensue if the incident occurs while the injured party is lawfully on someone else’s property.
Victims span age groups and health statuses, from the elderly to the young and healthy. Injuries vary from bruises to severe trauma, leading to years of physical pain, mental distress, and financial challenges.
These accidents can happen anywhere, which is why preventative measures by property owners and visitors are crucial. Hence, whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or visitor, acknowledging potential slip and fall hazards is essential.
It is recommended to consult a team of experienced slip and fall attorneys if you do end up sustaining injuries due to another person’s carelessness.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
An important step in averting slip and fall injuries and accidents involves recognizing their common causes. As mentioned, these incidents often stem from a property owner’s negligence in maintaining their premises. Or they may fail to warn about potential hazards including:
1. Wet and Uneven Surfaces
Falls constitute a staggering 8 million ER visits annually, making them one of the primary reasons for hospital visits (21.3%). Slips and falls alone contribute to over 1 million visits (12% of total falls). Even everyday activities like walking can become dangerous under circumstances that involve:
- Cluttered floors
- Wobbly floorboards
- Recently mopped or waxed floors
- Torn carpeting
- Loose floor mats
- Badly constructed staircases
- Potholes
- Uneven sidewalks
- Moisture on the floor
Sadly, these risks are prevalent in domestic, commercial, industrial, and public spaces, and can contribute to serious slip and fall injuries. Taking responsibility and ensuring accident prevention is imperative.
If you were in an accident, you should seek guidance from a seasoned slip and fall lawyer for navigating legal complexities.
2. Inadequate/Improper Workplace Training
Workplace accidents, particularly in the construction industry, often involve slips and falls. Frequently, these stem from inadequate training.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health have collaborated on a fact sheet emphasizing the preventability of such incidents.
Training has emerged as a crucial factor, necessitating comprehensive instruction for employees in high-risk sectors on tool and equipment usage. Further, efficient job planning and the provision of necessary safety tools are imperative.
Neglecting these precautions may render employers or contractors accountable for slip and fall injuries. This, in turn, could mean legal intervention from slip and fall attorneys.
3. Poor Weather
Needless to say, the weather is beyond human control, contributing significantly to slip and fall incidents. Prioritizing monsoon/winter safety measures is crucial, given the inherent risks associated not only with wet/icy conditions, but various other related challenges.
Property owners and municipalities bear a legal obligation to clear sidewalks, plow streets, and apply salt to walkways and steps. Failure to fulfill this duty can result in liability if an individual sustains slip and fall injuries.
A slip and fall lawyer can play a vital role in securing compensation for victims, especially when negligence is evident. Some of the most substantial compensation claims emerge directly from such lapses in responsibility.
4. Neglect at Assisted Living Facilities
Nursing home neglect poses a concerning risk for slip and fall accidents, particularly impacting the elderly who experience a diminished sense of balance. The CDC reports that each year, millions of individuals aged 65 and above face this hazard, with more than one out of four older people suffering falls.
Often, many nursing home administrators and aides reportedly fail to adequately assist and monitor residents. No wonder most of these facilities have become a breeding ground for slip and fall accidents!
Victims of such incidents may seek legal recourse through experienced slip and fall attorneys to address their suffering.
5. Hazardous Building Structures
The poor state of a building structure can heighten the potential for harm to visitors. Examples of hazardous situations include insufficient lighting and impaired supportive handrails and banisters.
Dimly lit spaces can make movement challenging, increasing the risk of slip and fall injuries. Meanwhile, relying on damaged support structures for balance often results in injuries when individuals place their body weight on a compromised element.
Identifying these dangers through proper vigilance in property maintenance is crucial. In unfortunate cases, those impacted by such accidents can seek legal support from a reliable slip and fall lawyer.
6. Improper Footwear
As per the National Floor Safety Institute, approximately 24% of slip and fall incidents are caused by inappropriate footwear. The risk isn’t exclusive to stiletto wearers; even sneakers or work boots can pose equal hazards.
The answer lies in the type of support shoes provide. Inadequate support heightens the risk of slips and falls at workplaces as well as in domestic or public settings. Victims who have sustained slip and fall injuries may engage the services of slip and fall attorneys to navigate the legal implications.
Conclusion
Slip and fall injuries often result from the failure to promptly address hazardous conditions that arise from negligence. If you’re a victim of someone else’s carelessness, bearing the financial burden is plain unfair.
Establishing negligence in your personal injury cases can be complex, but slip and fall lawyers specialize in guiding victims through the process. These legal experts offer invaluable assistance – from providing legal counsel and gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies and representing you in court.
In the aftermath of a slip and fall accident, consulting with slip and fall attorneys can ensure you can navigate legal complexities and seek rightful compensation.
