If you fall, either by slipping or tripping, you may get an injury or worse. Falling injuries are the leading reason for emergency room visits every year. A slip, trip and fall accident can cause anything from minor scrapes and bruises to life-threatening brain injuries.
Falls can occur practically anywhere. Due to this risk, it is important to know some of the main causes of fall accidents. Knowing the contributing factors to slip, trip and fall injuries will help you be safer wherever you go.
Slippery surfaces
Floors, sidewalks and other walking surfaces may become wet for various reasons:
- Spilled liquid
- Wax
- Mopping
- Rain
- Snow
- Ice
- Oil leaks
Wet conditions like this are common, which means a lot of areas are prone to slip and fall incidents.
Uneven surfaces
When a surface is uneven, an accident is practically waiting to happen. Some tripping hazards include the following:
- Potholes in parking lots
- Torn carpeting
- Loose floorboards
- Cluttered floors
- Defective sidewalks
- Poorly constructed or maintained stairs
Even sudden changes in surfaces can result in a trip, such as going from a smooth floor to a rug.
Property owner negligence
All property owners have a basic responsibility to ensure their property is safe for guests. Store owners, landlords and property managers have a legal duty to identify and control hazards. For example, if there is a torn piece of carpet that a store owner fails to remedy and you trip on it, it is possible you may have a legal claim. At the very least, these individuals must make others aware of the hazards. For example, if a floor is freshly mopped, there should be a wet floor warning sign to inform you about the potential danger.
No matter if you walk away from a fall with a bruise or end up in the back of an ambulance, it is important to consider if negligence contributed to your accident.
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