Slip and fall accidents are dangerous, and they can happen anywhere. At home, at work, or while you’re shopping, if someone else’s carelessness is the reason you fell, you may want to pursue legal action against whoever is responsible with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. While most slip and fall accidents end with a few minor bumps and bruises, they can also have a more devastating impact. Broken bones, traumatic brain injury, and death are all serious consequences that may leave a victim with costly medical expenses.
Here are some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents:
• Uneven/wet flooring. Walking on hazardous flooring or surfaces is one of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents. Any surface that hasn’t been adequately addressed and is routinely used for foot traffic could fall into this category. Examples of the variety of slip and fall accidents that fall under the wet or uneven flooring category may include:
- Spills in a work environment or public space
- Uneven, ripped carpet in a retail store, showroom, or office
- Clutter, like store stock, that has been left in aisles
- Sidewalk, parking lot, or trail potholes/uneven surfacing
• Lack of training. Many workplace injuries are from slip and fall accidents occur because of improper training. Employers are responsible for providing a safe work environment, and that often involves safety training for unusual surfaces like narrow passages, walking on construction builds, or on slippery surfaces. If employees don’t have the requisite knowledge for the job, they may slip and fall during the normal course of work.
• Weather. Rain, hail, sleet, snow, and ice can all change the outdoor circumstances in a matter of minutes. Some weather events are unpredictable, but many are somewhat predictable. Government agencies and property owners are responsible for making passageways reasonably safe if possible. For instance, if you fall on an icy surface in front of City Hall, the municipality may be responsible for any consequential injuries.
• Improper footwear. It may be common sense to wear hiking boots when hiking and high heels when you’re not planning on doing much walking at all, but proper footwear plays a role at home and at work, too. In restaurants, for example, many workers behind the scenes must wear industrial traction footwear to prevent slipping on wet surfaces.
• Elder abuse. Neglect is a form of abuse, and nursing home neglect leads to many slip and fall cases concerning the elderly. When a nursing home, assisted living home, or health care facility fails to provide adequate assistance to help seniors move from place to place, the results are typically severe. Broken bones, head injuries, and other injuries are common in these fall accidents and can be deadly.
• Inadequate warning or barriers. While not a direct accident cause, inadequate notices can contribute to a slip and fall accident. When a responsible party is aware of a hazard, he or she must take steps to remove the hazard, warn individuals of the hazard’s existence, or prevent individuals from entering the area. Failing to do so increases the risk of a slip and fall accident.
Many reports of slip and falls are fraudulent, making it difficult for those who truly suffer to obtain the compensation they deserve. If inadequate maintenance or insufficient warnings caused your injury, however, you’re entitled to compensation from the negligent party. The Benton Law Firm can help you investigate the scene of the accident, find appropriate medical care, and pursue a case against the accountable individual. To learn more about whether you have a slip and fall case in Dallas or surrounding areas, contact our team today.