What Are The Most Common Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries?

Slip and Fall Injuries Explained

Every year people suffer serious personal injuries as a result of slip and fall accidents. It’s because we’re all are on our feet, walking all day through various public places, including restaurants, stores, parks, and sidewalks. When you think about it, no home is truly safe from falls. You can slip at home on a bathroom floor or in the kitchen. 

Many people will be interested in knowing the most common causes of slip and fall injuries, so let’s take a minute to look at some reasons and tips on how to prevent slipping and falling.

 

Slip and Fall Injuries Most Common Cause

Most slip and fall incidents occur in the home. However, slip and falls also happen outside of the house more often than one may think. Slips are caused mainly by wet floors caused by spilled liquids or leaky pipes. A person might slip due to an accumulation of water or ice on the stairs or walkway floors.

Slip and fall injuries can occur in the workplace, at public facilities like churches, schools, supermarkets, parking lots or shopping centers, shopping malls, or restrooms. A slip and fall accident may end in severe injuries, including broken bones, burns, cuts, bruises, and concussions.

 

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

The following includes a list of some of the most often occurring causes of slip and fall incidents.

 

Wet Floors

Whether caused by a spilled beverage at a store or by rainfall, wet flooring may make you lose your balance. Recently mopped, polished, or waxed flooring may also be classified as recently mopped, polished, or waxed.

 

Uneven floors

This includes excessively protruding floorboards and uneven pavement in a parking lot or other public space.

 

Unsafe Stairs

Worn-out and twisted staircases are hazardous. Inadequate handrails or uneven surfaces may also contribute to slips and falls.

 

Floor Debris

If an area has collected garbage, considerable leaf debris, or other things, you may have trouble moving through or determining underneath.

 

Weak Lighting

Visibility is essential for preventing a slip and fall. If an area lacks enough illumination, you may be unable to avoid a slick surface that you might have noticed with sufficient light.

 

Poor Training

Occasionally, slip and fall accidents occur due to employees or staff members not being correctly educated to maintain the premises safe and avoid slip and fall accidents. A janitorial staff, for example, may neglect to post signs alerting visitors to a freshly cleaned floor.

 

Preventing Future Slip and Fall Accidents

Both slips and falls are caused by unexpected alterations in the interaction between the foot and the walking surface. This fact demonstrates the essential role of excellent housekeeping, the quality of walking surfaces (flooring), the selection of suitable footwear, and walking at an acceptable speed in avoiding fall occurrences.

 

Housekeeping

Housekeeping is the first and most critical (primary) stage of fall prevention owing to slips and trips. It consists of the following:

• Removing all messes 
• Mark spills and damp areas promptly
• Cleaning or sweeping dirt from floors, non-flat mats, rugs, and carpets
• Permanently shut file cabinets and storage drawers, covering wires that cross pathways
• Keeping workspaces and walkways lighted by replacing burned-out light bulbs and defective switches.

Without good housekeeping standards, additional preventative measures such as advanced flooring, specialized footwear, or instruction in proper walking and falling methods can never be entirely successful.

 

Flooring

The next step in avoiding slips and trips is to alter or change walking surfaces. Refinishing or replacing flooring, adding mats, pressure-sensitive abrasive strips, or abrasive-filled paint-on coatings, and metal or synthetic decking may all help to increase safety and decrease the chance of falling. 

However, it is essential to note that a high-tech floor needs proper maintenance, like any other flooring. Additionally, durable, non-slippery flooring minimizes or decreases foot fatigue and aids in the avoidance of slips.

 

Footwear

Fall prevention should center on correct footwear selection. In workplaces with oily or damp flooring or where employees spend significant time outside. Because there is no footwear with anti-slip characteristics for every situation, consulting with manufacturers is strongly advised.

Properly fitting footwear promotes comfort and reduces tiredness, which improves the employee’s safety.

Have you been harmed as a result of negligence? To learn what to do, read:

Types of Negligence and Liability Cases

 

How can you prevent tripping and falling at work?

Reduce your chance of slipping on wet floors by taking the following precautions:

• Taking your time and being aware of your surroundings
• Changing your stride to a speed appropriate for the walking surface and the activities at hand, walking with your feet slightly outward, and making wide bends around corners.

You may minimize your chance of stumbling by taking the following precautions:

• Keeping walking areas free of debris and impediments
• Keeping your flooring in excellent condition requires constant use of established light sources that offer enough illumination for your tasks.
• If you enter a dark room with poor lighting, make sure to use a flashlight, ensure that the objects you are carrying or pushing do not obscure your view of any obstacles, spills, or other hazards.

 

Should I get a personal injury lawyer for my slip and fall?

A personal injury is an injury to your body, mind, or emotions caused by another person’s negligence. A personal injury can include severe or fatal injuries, as well as significant pain and suffering. It can occur as the result of an accident, medical treatment, or an act of violence.

Most personal injury cases involve a negligence claim, which means that the person who caused the injury is found legally liable for your damages.

If you are injured in a slip and fall accident, a personal injury attorney can help you restore compensation for your medical bills and lost wages. Many insurance companies will aggressively contest your claim if they believe the accident was their fault. 

A personal injury lawyer will fight hard to protect your legal rights and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Once you have a slip and fall injury, you will need to seek a slip and fall lawyer to represent you in court. The goal of engaging the services of an attorney is to protect and represent your rights during a lawsuit. The right attorney can advise you on how to proceed and represent you in court.

You should know that hiring personal injury attorneys does not mean your personal injury claim is automatically settled. The most excellent way to avoid making a mistake with your lawsuit is to hire an attorney as soon as possible.

 

Consult a Paducah Slip and Fall Attorney

A slip and fall accident can be a devastating experience. You have been injured and may not be able to work for some time. You may feel embarrassed and helpless. In this situation, it is crucial to have an attorney on your side to assist you in establishing your rights and how to get them. Paducah slip and fall attorneys at Farmer & Wright are experienced at helping individuals who have been injured due to someone else’s negligence. We will assess your case and advise what legal options are available to you.