Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere at any time. The effects of these accidents can vary, causing anything from minor scratches and bruises to severe head and spinal cord injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may have legal options. Our South Bend premises liability lawyers are knowledgeable about what causes slip and fall accidents and how to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
To help reduce your risk of a slip and fall injury, review four of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents below.
1. Wet and Uneven Floors
Flooring conditions are one of the leading causes of slip and fall accidents. Such conditions include:
- Uneven flooring, pavement and surfaces without warning signs
- Loose flooring, rugs or mats, including those on stairs
- Recently waxed or polished floors
- Not using adequate barriers to close off areas of wet flooring
- Floor treatments on sloping floors
- Not using non-skid floor treatments when required
- Bulging, worn, or broken carpeting
- Items caught in carpeting or rugs that catch on shoes
- Unsalted icy surfaces
- Spills that are not cleaned up
- Potholes in business parking lots
- Splashed grease or oil that is not cleaned up
Property owners have a duty to use reasonable care to eliminate these hazards and reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents. Corrective measures include:
- Mopping up wet floors and spills immediately, and posting warning signs
- Maintaining pavements by filling and patching up cracks or holes
- Icing walkways and removing snow
- Using non-skid materials on flooring where appropriate
- Soaking up excess moisture on floors with mats at entrances
- Watching weather conditions to foresee hazards and take action
2. Environmental Conditions
Environmental conditions can also lead to slip and fall accidents. Examples of environmental slip and fall hazards include:
- Debris or trash on the floor
- Cords running across a walkway
- Poor lighting that makes it hard for a person to see hazards
- Bright lighting that causes a glare on shiny floor surfaces
- Open cabinets and drawers
- Flooring transitions, going from one flooring material to another
To prevent the risk of slip and fall accident, property owners should take these safety measures to protect patrons:
- Removing obstacles from all walkways, including cords and open drawers or doors
- Using proper lighting
3. Unsafe Ladders and Stairs
Using unsafe ladders and stairs can easily lead to a slip and fall accident. Hazardous situations may include:
- Lack of handrails
- Not using existing handrails
- Rushing while taking the stairs
- Worn or warped steps
- Skipping steps while traveling up or down stairs
- Debris and trash on stairs
- Waxed or polished stairs without non-skid surfaces
- Not securing a ladder while in use
- Using a chair or other furniture instead of a ladder
Reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents by using ladders correctly. Always use a ladder and not something else to stand on, and make sure it is secure before using. Wear proper footwear that provides traction on ladder rungs and stairs.
4. Improper Safety Practices
Those in certain occupations are at risk of slip and fall accidents if proper safety practices are not followed in the workplace. These include:
- Custodial staff, including housekeepers
- Construction industry workers
- Manual laborers
- Chefs and kitchen staff
- Factory workers
To prevent slip and fall accidents in the workplace, all workers should receive proper training on the use of all necessary tools and equipment. Workers should be given the equipment and tools needed to stay safe while working, such as wearing the correct safety equipment.
Get Legal Help from a Qualified Attorney
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, our experienced personal injury attorneys at Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak will fight to recover the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.
Schedule a free, no obligation consultation today and learn the legal options available in your case. We charge no upfront fees and only receive payment if we recover compensation for you.
Call (574) 444-0741 and speak to a lawyer about your claim.
