The Four Most Common Causes Of Slips And Falls
Corbin Sutter
Premises Liability
"Slip and fall" is a common legal term for a specific type of premises liability. Premises liability is when a residential or commercial property owner willfully ignores a possible hazard on their property and that negligence results in an injury. In this case, it would be someone slipping or tripping and then falling.But why does this happen? Here are four of the most common reasons a slip and fall case will go to court.
Wet Or Uneven Surfaces
This is by far the most common cause of a slip and fall not just in Florida or the rest of the USA but the entire world. There's a reason that many businesses put up a "slippery when wet" sign while conducting cleaning activities. Under proper conditions, a wet surface offers minimal traction. When combined with certain footwear, such as high heels or slippery shoes, it can result in a fall that can lead to injury.
Meanwhile, uneven surfaces can be found just about anywhere. Offices, for example, that do not have enough power outlets to go around may have electrical cords running across the floor to distant power outlets, creating the possibility of tripping. Even structural features such as a crooked staircase can cause improper placement of one’s feet, resulting in a fall.
Weather
This is beyond anyone's control. In Florida, the most significant risk related to the weather is wet surfaces. In other parts of the country, however, the arrival of winter can mean icy sidewalks and other pathways, making it very easy for people to slip, fall, and sustain injuries.
If a surface is prone to becoming hazardous when it is wet, or if it becomes icy and slippery during the winter months, then both homeowners and business property owners are obligated to address those risks within a fixed period. For example, in some parts of the USA, not shoveling a sidewalk in winter can result in fines. If an injury occurs because of someone’s refusal to do the task, then a premises liability case is in the cards.
Poor Training
This is more of a professional hazard, particularly in the construction industry. Construction workers often find themselves in extremely dangerous environments, especially when the necessary safety measures are not followed on a construction site.
Construction workers should be properly trained in navigating the hazards of a construction site. If they do not receive that training from their employers, they will not know what the risks are and end up getting injured at some point.
Fraud
Unfortunately, this is a very common reason, even if it isn't a legitimate one. Personal injury lawsuits that are genuine can be lucrative for the accident victim. Some deceitful people realize this and attempt to manufacture counterfeit injuries in the hopes of either getting a substantial settlement out of court in order to avoid a lawsuit or gamble on winning a lawsuit with a fake injury.
If you have slipped, fallen, and received an injury due to a property owner's negligence, you can and should seek compensation by talking to a slip and fall lawyer. Reach out to our team today to learn more about the scope of our work and how we can help you.