Slip and fall accidents are more common than you may realize – and more serious.
Every year, falls are the reason for more than eight million emergency room visits in the U.S., which is the number one reason for all visits. Slip and fall accidents make up more than one million of those visits.
Accidents involving floor problems contribute to two million injuries from falls every year.
Bone fractures are one of the worst consequences of falls, and about five percent of everyone who falls will have a broken bone. The fractures that cause the most problems and lead to deaths from falls are hip fractures.
Every year, one-third of all Americans over 65 years old will fall at least once. Falls are the top cause of injury-related fatalities in adults 85 years old and up, and they are the second most frequent cause of injury-related fatalities in adults between the ages of 65 and 85.
In work-related falls, 85 percent of claims for workers’ compensation are due to slip and fall accidents on wet or slippery floors. Falls are most common in the construction, maintenance, and mining industries, and they are the top cause of injury in the trucking industry.
If you are hurt because someone else acted negligently, you owe it to yourself to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Below, we’re going to tell you about the common causes of slip and fall accidents, where they are most likely to occur, and what you can do to protect yourself if you have had a slip and fall injury.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Why leads to most of these falls?
- Areas with clutter. Loose cords, area rugs, toys, shoes, boxes, books, or clothes can all present tripping dangers.
- Areas with uneven or unstable surfaces. Flooring needs to be inspected and repaired regularly.
- Heavily-trafficked areas. These can present challenges for navigation.
- Heights that are not protected or blocked. Always take care around a precipice, open window, or any other high area without a fence or other barrier.
- Ladders. They must be placed on firm ground at an angle of one foot away from the vertical surface for every four feet of ladder height. Extreme caution must be used when working on a ladder to prevent a fall.
- Ramps. Exterior ramps must be kept free from debris and excess water.
- Stairwells. Stairs with clutter, wet areas, or damaged flooring are dangerous. Stairs without hand rails can be more hazardous than those with handrails. Stairs need to be well-lit to prevent slip and fall accidents.
- Wet or slippery areas. Spills and freshly mopped or waxed floors present falling hazards.
These situations can occur most anywhere, whether in private or public places.
Common Places Slip and Fall Accidents Occur
Here’s how your legal rights are affected depending on location.
Retail Store
A slip and fall at a location like this will present complex procedural and legal challenges that are best left to the knowledge and experience of a skilled attorney.
Resort or Hotel
Similar to a slip and fall injury at a retail store, you will likely want to work with a Florida injury attorney to receive compensation for your injury.
Small Business
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may have a less complicated legal process if your fall occurred at a small business.
Public Space
If you were injured on a sidewalk, street, park, or public building, you will need to file a claim against a government entity for compensation. Winning a case like this requires the knowledge of an experienced lawyer and careful attention to the differences between cases that involve public and private entities.
Work
Most falls at work will be covered by workers’ compensation, but some cases may require the assistance of an attorney.
Rented Dwellings
The property owner or landlord may be at fault for a fall in an apartment or rented home.
Private Homes
These types of lawsuits may go more smoothly with the help of an attorney.
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident due to someone else’s negligence, you should not have to bear the financial burdens yourself. Reach out today and we’ll help you get the compensation you deserve.
About the Author:
Lawlor, White & Murphey in 1998. Since 1995, Mr. Lawlor’s trial advocacy and litigation skills, as well as his wide-ranging legal expertise, have provided plaintiffs and their families with a distinct advantage when seeking financial compensation and justice for injuries caused by the negligence of others. Mr. Lawlor is an EAGLE member of the Florida Bar Association and an active member of the American Association for Justice, the Broward County Justice Association, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and several professional associations.