Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common personal injury cases seen. One million people visit the emergency room every year because of a slip and fall accident. Some of these accidents are minor, causing a few bumps or bruises, whereas others could be serious causing bone and even skull fractures, which may even lead to death. If you have been involved in a slip and fall accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, you need to get in touch with a personal injury attorney right away. Given below are some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents seen:

Hazardous Walking Surfaces – Approximately 55% of slip and fall accidents are caused by hazardous conditions such as wet or uneven surfaces. A hazard could be anything from cluttered floors, defective sidewalks, loose floorboards, torn carpeting, poorly constructed staircases, recently mopped or waxed floors and so on. All these conditions can make the walking surface dangerous.

Weather Conditions – Hazardous weather conditions like rain, ice and snow are a common cause of outdoor slip and fall accidents. Although nobody can predict what the weather conditions may be, property owners and municipalities have the responsibility to plow streets and keep them clear of any hazards. During snowfall, they are expected to shovel sidewalks and salt the roads, steps and walkways. If the property owner or municipality fails to take any safety measures to prevent such hazards, they may be legally held liable.

Improper Training at the Job – May slip and fall accidents take place on the job, especially in the manufacturing and construction fields. If workers do not get proper on-the-job training, they may have difficulty walking on slick surfaces or narrow pathways, resulting in a slip and fall accident. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the employer to make sure employees get all the training they require.

Improper Footwear – Approximately 24% of slip and fall accidents are caused by footwear. High heels, slippery soles, and even some sneakers and work boots may not provide proper traction, resulting in slip and fall accidents at home, at office, or in public.

Nursing Home Neglect – A number of slip and fall accidents are seen in old patients and elderly people who are not able to maintain their balance or walk properly. Seniors are at an increased risk of falling, and if they do, they are at an increased risk of sustaining a life-threatening injury like a hip fracture. If nursing home administers don’t properly assist and monitor their residents, then the chances of being involved in a slip and fall accident increases.

Fraud Cases – Although very rare, there may be some cases where the victim deliberately spills oil or a banana peel on the floor of the supermarket and purposely falls. They may be trying to seek damages for their injury from a party that is not at all responsible for the accident or injury.

In all these cases, it is advised to get in touch with an experienced and qualified personal injury attorney who can fight for you and get the compensation you deserve for the damages.