SLIP AND FALL
ACCIDENT

Slip and fall accidents might occur at any time and location. The injuries sustained from these incidents can range from minor lacerations and bumps to more severe trauma to the brain and spinal cord. According to research conducted by the National Safety Council, slip and fall incidents account for an average of 44,000 deaths annually in the United States, making them the second largest cause of incidental death in the country.

Areas That Frequently cause people to trip and fall

Areas That Frequently Cause People to Trip and Fall

  1. Homes – Wet flooring and uneven surfaces are the m
  • Homes – Wet flooring and uneven surfaces are the most common causes of people slipping and falling in their homes. The following are examples of such flooring conditions:
  • Uneven flooring, pavement, and surfaces without any indicators of danger
  • Loose flooring, carpets, or matting
  • Floors that have been recently waxed or polished
  • Neglecting to use floor treatments that prevent slipping when it is necessary
  • Carpeting that is sagging, worn or damaged in some way
  • Ice areas that have not been salted
  • Messes that aren’t properly cleaned up
  • Parking lots of businesses that have potholes
  • Any splattered oil or grease that has not been cleaned up

2. Parking Lot & Garage – some of the things that might cause people to fall are cracked pavement, inadequate illumination, and hazardous railings. Pedestrian ramps and stairways that are defectively constructed or destroyed also provide a risk, as can goods that have been abandoned in the parking lots.

3. Public Areas – Accidents involving slipping and falling can also be caused by differing environmental conditions in public locations, such as parks and plazas.

The following are some examples of environmental slip and fall hazards:

  • Garbage or debris was thrown on the ground.
  • A pathway that is obstructed by cords.
  • Inadequate lighting that makes it difficult for a person to perceive potential dangers.
  • Lighting that is extremely bright and creates a glare on glossy floor surfaces
  • Open cabinets and drawers

Transitions in flooring, the process of transitioning from one type of flooring to another

4. Office and Commercial Buildings – Slip and fall hazards abound in commercial buildings, including poorly maintained restrooms, broken escalators, elevators, stairs, poorly lit parking lots, and places with damaged or worn flooring. These tragedies can also occur on faulty stairways and ladders within structures for the reasons below:

  • Not enough handrails
  • Inadequate use of existing railings
  • In a hurry up the stairwell
  • Treads that are worn or crooked
  • Ascending or descending a flight of stairs while skipping steps
  • Stairways that are cluttered with rubbish
  • Without non-skid treatments, the steps are waxed or polished and can be hazardous
  • When a ladder is used without being properly secured
Severe and Permanent Injuries from Slip and Fall

Severe and Permanent Injuries from Slip and Fall

The elderly are particularly vulnerable to injury caused by slip-and-fall accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the top cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among the elderly (CDC). Around half to three-quarters of nursing home patients experience a fall yearly. Fall prevention begins with education. Therefore seniors and their caregivers must understand the most prevalent risk factors and solutions to avoid falls. As a result of a fall, many people suffer from the following common injuries.

  • Broken Bone – When a bone is subjected to force beyond what it can tolerate, it breaks. The probability of breaking a bone after a fall increases with age. Hip, wrist, and ankle fractures are prevalent in slip-and-fall incidents.

  • Soft Tissue Injuries – Injuries to the body’s soft tissues are often not immediately apparent, and it may be many days or weeks after a fall before the full extent of the injury becomes apparent. Sprains of the ankle and wrist, torn tendons, and ligaments are all examples of soft tissue injuries. Soft tissue injuries may be excruciating if they are not addressed, and they can also leave you more prone to other injuries.

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries – also known as TBI, are sustained when a person suffers a fall and strikes their head on the floor or another surface. Minor concussions, knocks, and bruises are all examples of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), while more severe injuries include skull fractures, hematomas, and subarachnoid hemorrhage.

  • Hip Fracture – An older person who suffers a hip fracture will likely need surgery, an inpatient stay of around a week, and prolonged rehabilitation in a nursing facility.

  • Ankle or Wrist Sprains – can occur if you take an unnatural or uneven stride, a typical result of slip-and-fall accidents. People frequently shield themselves from impact by extending their arms as a secondary measure. If the ligaments in your wrist or ankles rip after a fall, you will likely acquire a sprain or a strain.

  • Cuts and Abrasions – Slip and falls that create cuts and abrasions can appear rather serious, although the injuries are frequently less extensive than other forms of slip and fall. Abrasions to the legs and arms, as well as the head and hips, are common.

  • Back and Spinal Cord Injuries – The stress on the body in a slip-and-fall accident can fracture vertebrae or produce slipped or herniated discs, which cause substantial pain and limited movement.

  • Shoulder or Neck Injury – Shoulder and neck injuries arise by landing on your shoulder or neck after a fall. They can also result from overexertion when trying to catch yourself during the fall. Muscle sprains, spinal cord damage, and paralysis are some of the possible outcomes of a neck injury.

  • Knee Injuries – Knee damage can come from a slip and if you twist as you fall. In addition to ligament tears, you may potentially dislocate your patella, and you may need knee repair now or in the future.

Locate a Local Attorney Who Can Help with Your Slip-and-Fall Case

Serious or lasting injuries, incapacity, expensive medical expenditures, and even death can result from unintentional falls. The attorneys at Gosuits are here to assist if you, a relative, or a friend is a victim of slip-and-fall that occurred on someone else’s property due to the owner’s failure to provide a safe environment.

Our slip-and-fall accident lawyers will explain your legal options, file the necessary paperwork, investigate the incident, and negotiate reasonable compensation to cover your damages. If you call our office, we can have one of our skilled attorneys meet with you for a free consultation to go over the specifics of your accident and give you a ballpark figure for how much your case might be worth.

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