Top 5 Reasons Slips and Falls Cause Injury

 Posted on November 01, 2016 in Personal Injury

Property owners have a legal responsibility to keep their premises safe and free from hazards. Many factors can contribute to a certain condition posing a threat to a pedestrian, and it is therefore up to the owner to make regular sweeps of the property to prevent injuries from occurring.

Slips and falls account for over 1 million emergency room visits. In the event that someone is injured, a property owner could face a personal injury lawsuit and be held liable for the injured party’s injuries, pain and suffering, and lost wages if the injured party is unable to work.

The Top 5 Reasons Slips and Falls Occur

There are several reasons why someone may slip and fall. However, the top five reasons are somewhat obvious. Unfortunately, safety often takes a backseat to business and profits. The top five reasons why slips and falls occur include the following:

1. Contaminants on the Floor: Contaminates may include anything from detergent spilled in a grocery store laundry aisle to a leaking freezer or refrigerator. If employees do not make regular checks of the premises, the store's owner could be held liable for someone slipping and falling on a spilled substance.

2. Indoor Walking Surface Irregularities: A hazardous condition indoors could be the walking surface itself, from uneven tiling, linoleum, or curled, frayed, or damaged carpeting or rugs. A person could easily trip and fall and suffer injuries.

3. Outdoor Walking Surface Irregularities: The outdoors could present a dangerous walking surface in the form of uneven pavement, cobblestone, driveway sealant, or damaged and crumbling curbing.

4. Weather Conditions: Most people are aware of hazardous weather conditions—icy walkways and snow logged pathways entrances and car parks. If preventative measure are not taken, however, a slip is a very predictable outcome. Especially on an icy or wet surface, a person can fall hard and suffer painful injuries or even a traumatic brain injury.

5. Poor Lighting: Insufficient lighting or none at all can significantly decrease visibility for drivers and pedestrians and can culminate in a serious accident or injury. Glare and sharp lighting which creates contrasts can also impede the normal flow of traffic or can surprise people unnecessarily.

Compassionate and Experienced Legal Counsel

Suffering any injury—minor or serious—is no laughing matter. Broken bones, fractures, or even a traumatic brain injury can result from a slip and fall accident. Moreover, these painful injuries can take an extended time to heal.

If your injury from a slip and fall accident was caused by a hazardous condition at a business premises—a condition which should not have been present—there is a chance you could recover monetary compensation for your losses. Illinois business owners are required to keep their premises safe and free from hazardous conditions. Retaining the services of an experienced law firm is your first step towards potential recovery. Contact the skilled DuPage County personal injury attorneys at Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices today. Call 630-932-9100.

Sources:

https://nfsi.org/nfsi-research/quick-facts/

https://www.osha.gov/dte/grant_materials/fy11/sh-22219-11/STF_Dotmocracy_Chart.pdf

http://www.cleanlink.com/news/article/Top-10-Risk-Factors-for-Slip-and-Fall-Accidents--14473

http://www.bisociety.org/level-pain-injury-slip-fall-accidents/