Nearly one million people visit the emergency room every year due to some variation of a slip and fall incident. However, no matter what type of accident it may be, even the smallest slip and fall can cause injuries as serious as death. But, every account of an accident can be easily prevented. In this guide, we will be going over the six most common causes of slip and fall accidents and when you should contact a personal injury lawyer.
1. Poorly Trained Procedures
The majority of slip and fall accidents happen in the workplace because workers commonly walk on sleek and narrow surfaces. Additionally, workers are usually poorly trained on avoiding slip and fall accidents which only adds to the potential of injury.
2. Poor Weather Conditions
A large majority of slip and fall accidents actually occur due to poor weather conditions, such as rain, snow, and sleet. Even though we have no direct control over the weather that affects us, we can control the surface we walk on, such as crosswalks, driveways, sidewalks, etc.
3. Hazardous Surfaces
According to the National Safety Institute, 55 percent of all slip and fall accidents happen on hazardous or profoundly dangerous surfaces. Below, are the most common surfaces to avoid due to slip and fall risks:
Wet floors
Rugged carpets
Loose floorboards
Potholes
Broken sidewalks
4. Shoewear
A large number of slip and fall accidents, 24 percent to be exact, are caused by wearing improper shoe wear. However, it’s more than wearing dress shoes while working at a warehouse. Not wearing rubber-soled shoes in a lower traction environment can cause a number of injuries, including a slip and fall accident.
5. Nursing Home Neglect
Elderly people are at an increased risk of experiencing a slip and fall because their balance gets worse over time. Additionally, when these accidents do occur, they are likely to cause more serious damage. This makes slip and fall accidents extremely serious among the elderly, and especially so in nursing homes. If those who work at nursing homes do not pay proper attention to their residents or do not assist when needed, the problem becomes even worse. In these cases, the assistance of a personal injury lawyer is necessary to receive the restitution that is so severely needed by these victims.
6. Fraudulent Claims
The majority of slip and fall claims are entirely legitimate. However, around three percent are filed fraudulently. People either lie about being the victim of one of these accidents or they set up the fall so it looks like an accident. The people who file these claims are simply trying to get money from their employer, a business owner, or another citizen. Though these cases are rare, they do still happen.
Slip and fall accidents are all too common. If you ever find yourself the victim of one of these accidents, do not hesitate to contact a personal injury lawyer. They can help you to gather proof, argue your case, and get you the compensation you deserve.
