Common Causes of Slip-and-Fall Accidents

A slip-and-fall accident can happen to anyone and almost anywhere, whether at work, a friend's house, a restaurant, or even the mall. In most cases, the cause of the accident is dangerous conditions on the property or no warning of possible dangers. Therefore, the individual or business responsible for preventing such accidents is legally liable.

Injured persons may bring legal action if the slip and fall occur while they are legally on another's property. Therefore, understand what contributing factors may have led to your injuries if you are to take action.

Below are some of the most common ways slip-and-fall accidents occur.

Wet Floors

Accidents due to wet floors are among the most common causes of slip-and-fall injuries. Slip-and-fall victims often lose their footing on wet floors, as they are slippery. Floors can become slippery when a spill of liquids, such as water, oil, or grease, is not promptly cleaned up. Recently mopped or waxed floors are also slippery.

Wet floors can also result from weather conditions. Snow, sleet, rain, and ice can accumulate outside, causing a slippery surface that is dangerous to walk on. When walking through rainwater puddles or patches of ice, shoes may also carry some moisture indoors.

Uneven Surfaces

When you walk on an even, smooth surface, maintaining your balance is usually easy. Occasionally, however, unexpected dips and bumps can throw you off balance. As a result, uneven surfaces are dangerous hazards that may lead to serious slip-and-fall injuries.

Uneven surfaces that can contribute to causing a slip-and-fall accident include:

• Loose floorboards, mats, or rugs
• Parking lot potholes
• Defective sidewalks
• Worn-out carpet and mats
• Cluttered floors
• Broken or missing staircase steps

Uneven walking surfaces are often a result of the failure of a business or property owner to maintain their properties.

Improper Safety Training and Practices

If workers and visitors don't follow proper safety practices in the workplace, certain occupations are more likely to have a fall accident.

A key element in preventing slip-and-fall accidents at work is training. The employer can train the employees to use the tools and equipment necessary for the job. Training can also include teaching employees how to spot a dangerous situation quickly and how to prevent a fall from happening.

Additionally, workers should have the proper safety equipment and tools to protect themselves from injuries in a fall.

Nursing Home Neglect

Nursing homes and communities are responsible for providing a reasonable level of care. Taking steps to prevent slip-and-fall accidents among the residents in the home is one element of care. 

Nursing home administrators and assistants, however, may often be negligent. Consequently, slip-and-fall accidents are more likely to occur in nursing homes. An estimated one in three people over 65 falls every year. The elderly also have a significantly reduced sense of balance, increasing their risk of falling.

Falls can lead to serious injuries, such as hip fractures. Unfortunately, sometimes the injury sustained may be life-threatening. 

Poor Lighting

Lighting is an often overlooked cause of slip-and-fall accidents. The darkness of a room or the lack of adequate lighting can make moving around and avoiding falls difficult.

Lighting is most likely to be a cause of a slip-and-fall injury in areas such as:

• A parking garage
• Walkways and sidewalks
• An indoor concert
• A bar or nightclub

Having proper lighting will improve visibility, especially at night.

Slip-and-fall accidents can be stressful, which is why you need an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side. A personal injury attorney helps you prepare your case so you can receive the compensation you deserve.

Feel free to contact us today for a consultation to determine whether you have a claim.