“Slip and Fall” is the general term used for accidents that involve a person slipping, tripping or falling on someone else’s property due to hazardous conditions. These accidents can either occur on owned premises or in public spaces such as sidewalks, roads or public squares. Property owners and occupiers are responsible for being aware of any type of dangerous conditions that may occur on their property, and thus may be held accountable due to a body of law called premises liability which holds them legally responsible if someone sustains injuries while on their property. While minor bruises, bumps and scrapes are common, more serious injuries such as broken bones, fractures, back injuries, head injuries, brain trauma, neck injuries and others can occur.
Depending on the circumstances, an injury case involving compensation may be in order if there is evidence that an injury was the result of the property owner’s mistake or negligence. Sometimes, injuries sustained may be the result of an individual’s own carelessness due to inappropriate behavior and lack of awareness, or the individual’s negligence due to alcohol or drug use. However, there are a variety of factors that can contribute to a slip and fall accident at no fault of the injured party involved. Below are some of the common threats present in a slip, trip, or fall accident.
Slips:
-Wet Flooring
-Occasional Spills
-Weather Conditions such as Rain, Snow or Ice
-Changes in Flooring Type
Trips:
-Loose Rugs or Floor Mats
-Uneven Walking Surfaces
-Broken Sidewalk
-Poor Lighting
-Clutter
-Cording
-Wrinkled, Loose or Torn Carpeting
-Steps with no Warning
-Manholes with no Warning
These, as well as other factors, can lead to slip and fall accidents resulting in injury to those involved. Determining the cause of the occurrence is essential in moving forward with a slip and fall claim, and requires a clear understanding of how the accident occurred and if the property owner was aware of the condition that led to the injury. Any information gathered at the time of the incident will be useful in supporting the case.
Slip, trip and fall accidents can be avoided with careful monitoring of the property and quick response measures to unsafe or hazardous situations. To avoid factors that may contribute to slips, trips and falls, property owners can consider the following safety steps.
Safety Steps:
-Absorbent Mats in Entryways
-Display Wet Floor Signs
-Clean Up Spills and Wet Floors Instantly
-Use Anti-skid Tape in Areas of High Traffic
-Add Floor Mats to Spill-prone Areas such as Bathing Facilities or Food Preparation Stations
-Check Stairways for Loose Railings
Erney Law have handled several slip and fall cases involving, steps, wood and tile floors, sidewalks, abrupt changes in flooring, and falls due to weather-related causes such as water, snow and ice. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a slip and fall accident, contact us for a free legal consultation regarding your potential slip and fall claim.
