08 Mar WHAT CAUSES SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS?
Posted By Gruenberg Kelly Della || 8-Mar-2021
Any hazardous condition on someone else’s property can cause a slip and fall accident, but the most common causes of slip and fall accidents include wet and uneven floors, environmental conditions, poor lighting, stray cords, and ladders, stairs, and handrails.
Wet and Uneven Floors
From sidewalks to grocery store aisles, walking surfaces are the safest when they are dry and even. All too often, people trip over old carpet, uneven thresholds, and loose floorboards — or they slip on a freshly waxed or mopped surface.
Slip and fall accidents are especially common in grocery stores, where moisture collection can create wet and slippery fools near coolers, and in restaurants, where spills are common, and floors can quickly become greasy.
Hazards exist both inside and outside. You could fall into a parking lot pothole, trip over a defective sidewalk, or lose your balance because of indoor clutter.
If the property owner failed to maintain their surface or warn you of existing danger, you may be entitled to compensation.
Environmental Conditions
When it rains or snows, surfaces can become wet and icy. Property owners must salt sidewalks and do their best to keep floors clean and dry. That being said, environmental conditions include more than just weather. If it is dark outside, property owners must make sure their properties are well-lit, and property owners are responsible for keeping their “environments” free from clutter and dangerous conditions.
Poor Lighting
While having inadequate lighting makes it hard to see and causes slips, trips, and falls, too much lighting can create glare on shiny surfaces, which also causes hazards.
Stray Cords
Stray cords are one of the leading causes of slip and fall accidents, particularly during performances. Wiring a property for a show or daily use requires care and attention to detail. If you trip over a cord that isn’t taped down or get tangled in a loose wire, the property owner may be to blame.
Ladders, Stairs, and Handrails
The elderly, people with limited mobility, and even everyday visitors use stairs and ramps to get around, and they sometimes depend on handrails to make the experience safer. Unfortunately, defective handrails cannot support a visitor’s weight, or the rails fall off the wall when people try to use them. Defective stairs (cracked or crumbling steps) are another huge issue for visitors.
Although most visitors are not using ladders, workers may fall off of ladders. This happens most frequently when workers do not have the right training. Another issue that may arise is with unsecured ladders in hardware stores. Customers are not encouraged to use these ladders, but if there are no warnings or ropes, they may be inclined to try to access an item on their own.
Litigating Slip and Fall Claims
No matter what hazard inspires your slip and fall claim, you will need to prove that the property owner knew or should have known about the danger and made no effort to remedy it or warn you. This lack of action is considered negligence and is the key to winning your personal injury lawsuit.
If you need to recover compensation for medical bills, missed wages, and other losses related to a slip and fall accident, Gruenberg Kelly Della can help.
Call us at (888) 305-6372 or contact us online to discuss your rights and legal options during a free initial consultation.