Top Causes Of Slip And Fall Accidents

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Top Causes Of Slip And Fall Accidents

People slip and fall all the time for different reasons. Since a fall can lead to serious injuries that would leave you needing extensive treatment, you can seek compensation for those injuries if the fall was caused by a negligent person. 

best florida slip and fall attorneysMore than one million Americans suffer, slip, trip, and fall injuries, and more than 17,000 die because of these injuries according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

You can file a lawsuit for compensation if you get injured after a fall. For instance, you can sue owner of a shopping mall if you slipped and hurt yourself at that person’s premises. Business owners and people who own land have a responsibility to ensure that their building or land is safe. 

What Are The Causes of Slip And Fall Accidents?

There are elevated falls and same-level falls according to the CDC.  Between the two types of falls, elevated falls are the most dangerous.  Same-level falls are often caused by slips and trips and they include:

  • Floors that have recently been waxed or mopped
  • Potholes in parking lots
  • Wet floors caused by spilled liquids or grease
  • Loose floorboards, mats, rugs
  • Slippery ice on the floor
  • Floors that are too shiny and reflect light
  • Objects on the floor
  • The point where carpets transition to the bare floor surface
  • Open drawers and desks

Elevated falls often happen when climbing stairs or ladders. Some of the causes of falls from stairs or ladders include:

  • A ladder that is not properly secured
  • Using furniture to reach a high point instead of using a ladder
  • Running up a flight of stairs or taking more than one step at a time

Fall can cause serious injuries, which can result in huge settlements for the victims that may cause a business to close shop or apply for bankruptcy. For this reason, business owners must ensure that their premises are hazard free, and that where hazards exist there should be clear warnings. 

Common Injuries In Slip And Fall Accidents

In some cases the injuries people sustain in slip and fall injuries are minor. These include injuries such as leg and arm abrasions and cuts.  The more serious injuries include:

  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Head trauma
  • Bone fractures and broken bones
  • Incapacitation
  • Death

Seniors are at a greater risk of developing long-term medical complications from slips and falls. 

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The Liable Party For Slip Accidents

Just because you slipped and fell in a public or private place does not mean the person that owns that space is liable. For example, if you were trespassing in someone else’s land or property when you got hurt, the owner of that property or land is not liable for your injuries.  You can only sue if you were an invitee or licensee when the accident happened. An invitee is a person that has been invited to enter the land or property by the owner of that land or property for business reasons. An invitee can also be described as a member of the public that visits land or property that is open for the public.  A licensee can either be a person invited to enter a property or land, or an uninvited person that is on that property or land under reasonable circumstances such as a mailman.