What are the Top 10 Causes of Slip and Falls?

Top 10 Reasons for Slip and Fall Accident Injuries

• #1 – Human error/distraction: Environmental factors aren’t always a cause of slip and fall accidents. In fact, regular human error is one of the most common contributors to slip and fall injuries. Whether you’re distracted by viewing a screen and accidently trip over a piece of debris or are intoxicated and lose your balance unexpectedly, a slip and fall accident can lead to a serious injury.
• #2 – Wet or uneven surfaces: This is one of the most common culprits of slip and falls which regularly occurs in supermarkets, gas stations, and other public places. Whether it’s a spill in a grocery store aisle or a recently waxed floor that does not include a warning sign, a slip and fall occurring in this way may entitle the injured victim to a cash settlement for various damages.
• #3 – Weather: Ice, snow, rain, sleet, and hail can cause even the most cautious pedestrians to suffer an injury in a slip and fall accident. In fact, a recent study from Canada found that surgeries from slip and fall accidents actually increased as a result of inclement weather. Your risk of falling and suffering an injury spikes considerably during winter months in cold-weather areas where snow and ice are frequently a part of the daily forecast.
• #4 – Poor lighting: Parking lots and even high-traffic businesses like nightclubs and bars may not always provide proper lighting conditions – particularly during evening hours. As a result, slip or trip and fall accidents commonly occur when unsuspecting patrons do not see walking hazards like debris or decorative objects that would otherwise be avoided.
• #5 – Loose mats and rugs: A rug can be a great way to tie a room together, but if it’s not properly placed or maintained, it can be a slip and fall hazard. Furthermore, loose rugs and mats in public businesses like restaurants, hotels, and casinos often lead to slip or trip and fall accidents where victims sustain serious injuries. And when that occurs, you as the injured victim may be entitled to a cash settlement.
• #6 – Cords and electrical wires: This is an issue commonly seen on construction sites, and workers can experience slip and falls that leave them unable to continue with their employment duties. But these sorts of slip and fall accidents can also occur in public locations – often by patrons and passersby when construction or ‘location improvements’ are ongoing yet business continues as usual. Accordingly, if you’re injured due to an exposed cord or electrical wire and negligence was involved, you may have a valid civil claim for damages.
• #7 – Inadequate/improper footwear: Improper footwear can take many forms – from ill-fitting shoes to the wrong type of boot on a construction site to high heels on an ice-covered sidewalk. While a slip and fall due to improper footwear doesn’t always involve negligence (and therefore can’t always lead to a successful civil claim), there are cases where a shoe or work boot was improperly made or the piece of footwear simply breaks and causes an accident. When that occurs, you may want to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer about filing a claim.
• #8 – Damaged stairs/handrails: Improperly maintained stairs and handrails are one of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents – particularly in businesses, apartment complexes, and other high-traffic areas. If a broken staircase or handrail caused your slip and fall accident injury, you may be able to secure damages for things like medical expenses or pain and suffering via a civil lawsuit.
• #9 – Animals: At Dordulian Law Group, we often see injuries due to dog bites or attacks. But an animal can also cause a slip and fall accident just by being playful with an unsuspecting stranger or passerby. If you suffered an injury through such an encounter, contact our slip and fall attorneys today to discuss your case.
• #10 – Defective public walkways: A sidewalk or business entrance should be free of obstructions or any uneven surfaces which may pose a danger to pedestrians. If you suffered an injury as a result of an uneven, defective, or improperly maintained walkway, contact our experienced slip/trip and fall lawyers today for a free consultation.