3 Of The Most Common Causes Of Slip And Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common kinds of accidents you are likely to suffer on private or public property. Federal and state laws require all property owners to maintain their premises with reasonable care and diligence because trip and fall accidents on-premises can cause serious injuries. People who suffer from slip and fall accidents have legal channels to alleviate the accident’s health effects and other consequences. If you or your loved one has suffered a slip and fall accident, you may stand a fair chance to be awarded compensation. 

The consequences of a slip and fall accident can range from bruises to broken bones. After suffering a slip and fall accident, you should visit an emergency room for a medical evaluation because the real extent of your injury may not be obvious. This article lists the most common causes of slip and fall accidents. 

Improper Safety Conditions

Slip and fall accidents often happen at workplaces that have hazardous conditions and lax employers. Employers are obliged to maintain physical premises that are safe and conducive for workers. Further, they must provide all the necessary safety gear and comprehensive training courses for their employees to carry out their responsibilities safely.

Various categories of employees are at an increased risk of slip and fall accidents at work, e.g., construction workers, factory workers, manual laborers, kitchen staff, custodial staff, etc. Premises lawsuits based on slip and fall accidents sustained at work usually succeed where the employee can prove that the employer neglected to provide safe working conditions.

Examples of unsafe working conditions include improper or substandard tools, lack of proper safety gear, insufficient training on handling tools, and navigating the workplace procedure. If you have suffered a slip and fall accident at the workplace, get medical help and contact an experienced personal injury lawyer.  

Wet, Loose, Uneven, Or Greasy Floors

Floors that are wet, uneven, or otherwise neglected are amongst the leading causes of slip and fall accidents on private and public property. Property owners have the legal obligation to maintain their premises in reasonably safe conditions. 

A property owner’s responsibility is to reduce slip and fall accidents by eliminating hazards using preventative and corrective measures. Hazardous flooring conditions include uncleaned spills, bulging or loose flooring, freshly waxed or polished floors, potholes, wet flooring that is not labeled or closed off from public access, unsalted icy surfaces, etc. 

Property owners must take all reasonable measures to protect persons on their premises from slip and fall accidents e,g. by putting up notices that indicate wet or slippery flooring, removing obstacles like extension cords from walkways, and using proper lighting. If you or a loved one have suffered a slip and fall accident because of neglected flooring, you should contact a personal injury lawyer to find out the strength of your case. 

Environmental Factors

Environmental conditions are also a leading cause of slip and fall accidents on public or private property. Typical examples of environmental slip and fall accidents include improper lighting, debris or trash on the floors, and walkways obstructed by snow or other obstacles, e.g., open doors and drawers. If you suffer a slip and fall accident because a property owner failed to maintain their premise against environmental factors, then your lawsuit may have a chance of being successful. 

Property owners have the legal obligation to protect users from any hazardous environmental conditions that may be lurking on their premises. A property owner that does not take reasonable measures to prevent slip and fall accidents that result from environmental conditions is susceptible to a hazardous premises lawsuit. 

Your chances of success and the amount of compensation you will be awarded in a slip and fall lawsuit depend on various factors. An experienced personal injury lawyer will evaluate the unique circumstances and parties concerned with your case and advise you on matters, including strategy. 

Typically the total compensation awarded by the court will be affected by the cause of your accident, the extent of your injuries, and the resultant effect of your life. The court will also consider whether you played any responsibility or behaved negligently before the slip and fall accident.