Slip and Fall Cases are more common than you think

Falls are the leading cause of hospital emergency room visits, accounting for over 8 million visits each year (21.3 percent ). Over 1 million of those visits are due to slip and fall accidents. Slip and fall accidents could be avoided in many cases, and the property owner or management could be held liable for any injuries sustained as a result of the accident. Slip and fall accidents are frequently caused by unsafe surface conditions or hazardous environmental conditions.

Surfaces that are wet and/or uneven

Unsafe surface conditions are the leading cause of slip and fall accidents. There may be spilled liquids on the floor, such as water or grease, in some cases. Alternatively, moisture may accumulate as a result of a leak, causing even carpet or matting to become wet and slick. Loose floorboards, cluttered floors, and potholes in the parking lot can all be very dangerous because they are not stable ground to walk on. Wet floors that have recently been mopped, waxed, or polished are another common cause of slip and fall accidents. When necessary, businesses should embed non-slip floor treatments, such as on an outdoor deck or stairwell. Those surfaces can become slick and uneven without it. If property owners fail to protect their customers from wet and uneven surfaces, they may be held liable for negligence. Certain flooring transitions can be extremely dangerous when it comes to slipping. Transitioning from one type of flooring to another, such as from concrete to slick tile, can create an unnatural transition. This can cause a person to lose their footing and balance, which can result in a fall. Even if you're aware of the transition and taking precautions, the abrupt change in traction can sometimes be too much, too soon. The property owner would need to fix this dangerous situation right away so that patrons can walk through it safely.

Climate Conditions

A large number of slip and fall accidents are caused by the weather. It is critical for property owners to follow winter safety procedures. It is the legal responsibility of both property owners and municipalities to shovel sidewalks, plow streets, and salt walkways and steps. They could be held liable if they haven't done so and someone gets hurt.

Hazards of Tripping

Slip and fall accidents are frequently caused by tripping hazards. Garbage or debris on the floor can make the surface of the floor slippery or hazardous, and some garbage items, such as plastic, are transparent and difficult to see. Tripping accidents can be caused by extension cords or wires that have not been properly laid down. These cords are frequently placed in high-traffic areas for concerts or parties, especially in public arenas, in order to play music or use more lighting.

Lighting Issues

Poor lighting is another example of a business creating an unsafe environment. If certain light bulbs are out inside a building, such as in parking garages or long hallways, this can be found. Poor lighting impairs one's vision, preventing them from noticing any potentially dangerous situations ahead. You may not notice the puddle in front of you if the lights are dim, and thus be unable to avoid it. For this reason, property owners are responsible for providing adequate and safe lighting.

After a Fall, What Should You Do?

Consider the following scenarios if you've been injured in a slip and fall accident. Even serious injuries can take a long time to manifest symptoms, allowing them to progress to something even more serious and difficult to treat. If something caused you to slip, such as a spill, torn carpeting, or jagged concrete, the business is almost certainly legally responsible for your losses because it failed to remedy the danger. One of the following conditions must be met in order to determine if the property owner is liable for the accident:

• The dangerous situation was created by the property owner or an employee.
• The owner or employee of the property was aware of the hazardous condition but chose to ignore it.
• Any reasonable person caring for the property would have discovered the hazard and dealt with it, so the property owner or employer should have known.