8 Common Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries

Slip and fall accidents can happen to anybody at any time. While these accidents often cause harmless bruises, some people break bones and even die from slip and fall accidents. Fortunately, many slip and fall accidents are preventable, provided that you know the causes. This blog post will examine the leading causes of slip and fall accidents.

Maintaining balance on uneven or wet surfaces is difficult. The surface can be a defective sidewalk, a loose floorboard, a recently mopped floor, or torn carpets. Some examples of uneven and wet floors include the following:

•  Recently polished or waxed floors
•  Items lodged between carpets or rugs
•  Potholes in the driveway or a business parking lots
•  Splashed oil or grease
•  Unsalted icy surfaces
•  Treatments on sloping floors
•  Spills that are not cleaned up

Weather is another factor that causes wet surfaces. For instance, many activities that happen in winter may cause weather-related accidents. Fortunately, proper maintenance of walkways, streets, and sidewalks can reduce the likelihood of slip-and-fall accidents. If someone fails to take the correct measures, they may be liable for weather-caused negligence.

The stairs may not have handrails, or you may fail to use the existing railings. In other instances, the stairs may be worn, broken, or warped.

Ensure you walk carefully on the stairs and don't miss any steps. Stairs should also be clean and free of any trash and debris. If you want to use a ladder, don't use furniture instead of an actual ladder. Also, always wear the appropriate footwear to gain traction on stairs and ladders.

When you wear heels on the snow or ice, you can easily slip and fall. Also, shoes that lack proper grip or traction can be hazardous in specific situations. For example, sneakers and work boots have poor grip and can be risky in specific areas.

Staff negligence may lead to slip and fall accidents at business establishments, such as shopping centers and restaurants. Nevertheless, the property owner or employer must have put measures in place to train the staff. For example, chefs should know how to handle oil and grease spills on the floor in a restaurant.

If the staff doesn't understand the causes of slips and falls, they may fail to use the correct safety guidelines. In addition, the staff may lack the appropriate tools and equipment to secure the workplace from accidents.

You can easily miss a step if you don't see the path due to poor lighting. For instance, you can easily slip off the edge of the stairs and tumble down. While poor lighting usually is the cause of slip-and-fall accidents, very bright lights are also a problem. Bright lights can blind you, so you won't see where to walk.

Accidents due to debris are common in grocery stores where tiny vegetable or fruit pieces fall to the floor. The debris can also be on sidewalks in the form of leaves and clutter.

Stray electrical wires or cords are another common types of obstacles that can cause slip and fall accidents. A stray electrical wire or cord may attach to your shoes or block your movement, leading to falling. You can seek legal compensation for any injuries if the stray objects are due to somebody's negligence.

Slip and fall accidents can result in serious injuries that require costly medical attention. If another party's negligence was responsible for the accident, you could get legal compensation. Jones, Boykin & Associates, P.C. will work with you to determine the merits of your case and file a lawsuit. Contact us for more information.