Top Ten Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
There are many ways to slip and fall. Contrary to popular belief, it is not just your pride that is wounded. Slip and fall accidents can lead to severe and painful injuries – even lifelong disabilities. If your slip and fall injury was caused by the negligence of another person or company, you have the right to be compensated for all your losses. The experienced San Francisco slip and fall attorneys here at Deldar Legal can help protect your legal rights. We fight hard for all accident victims’ rights to be fully and fairly compensated for all the losses that were caused by a slip or fall. Call (844) 335-3271 to schedule your free consultation.
Here are ten of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents:
Poor Lighting
If an area is not well lit, it is more difficult to see uneven surfaces and obstructions. This fact is a significant problem in stairwells and parking lots. Property owners must take reasonable precautions to ensure there is adequate lighting in these danger areas.
Poor Weather Conditions
Slippery surfaces are a significant cause of falls. Weather conditions such as rain, sleet, hail, and snow can make floors unsafe. It is essential to use caution when walking in these weather conditions. Property owners must take reasonable measures to clear their walkways after a storm. This is especially true for retail establishments, which invite the public onto their property for the purpose of spending money.
Unsafe Stairways and Handrails
Stairwells are a known danger zone for slip and fall injuries. It is essential for property owners to maintain these areas properly. Lighting should be adequate, and burnt out bulbs changed as quickly as possible. Uneven surfaces should be smoothed over. Handrails should be kept clean and stable.
Inadequate Surface Maintenance
Uneven surfaces are one of the most common causes of slip and fall injuries. Most of us do not look at the floor while we are walking, so it is challenging to avoid flooring that has become warped or chipped. Loose floorboards, carpet that is coming up, and other maintenance issues can result in a property owner being held liable for negligence. The National Floor Safety Institute reports that half of all accidental deaths in the home are caused by falls. Even more troubling, most falls in the home occur at ground level – not from a height. This fact suggests that unsafe floor surfaces are a major cause of fall deaths in the home.
Bad Flooring Materials
Sometimes flooring materials don’t go bad over time – they are bad from the start. Wood car warp or rot before it is even installed in a home. Tiles might be designed with a slippery surface that does not have enough traction. And even if the flooring materials are adequate, they could be installed incorrectly. For example: if a carpet is not tacked down properly, it can bunch and create a tripping hazard.
Inadequate Signs or Warnings
When property owners know of a dangerous condition on their land, they have a duty to warn other people about it. Store owners must go one step further and inspect their land to make it safe. If there is a dangerous condition without signs or warnings, the property owner can be held liable for slip and fall injuries that occur as a result.
Recently Mopped or Waxed Floors
One of the most common conditions requiring signs and warnings is a wet floor. If a floor has just been mopped or waxed, it is reasonable to expect that those on the property will be warned about this dangerous condition. This is especially important in high traffic areas (such as busy stores), and areas where those present are especially vulnerable to falls (such as nursing home residents).
Inadequate Precautions for the Elderly
According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries in older Americans. The Council reported on CDC statistics that found the total cost of falls in 2015 to be $50 billion. 75 percent of these costs were paid by Medicare and Medicaid. The financial toll of falls is expected to increase as the American population ages. Property owners have special obligations when they know there will be elderly persons on their land. Hospitals, nursing homes, and doctor’s offices must take reasonable steps to prevent their elderly clients from sustaining avoidable falls.
High-Risk Jobs
Some jobs are known to have a high risk of falls. The construction and trucking industries have particularly high fall rates. Workers in these industries must be given the proper training and equipment to perform their tasks safely. Failure to do so could result in an employer being liable for injuries caused by falls that could have been avoided with adequate training and proper safety practices.
Improper Safety Practices in the Workplace
The National Safety Council reports that 134 workers were killed in falls from the same level in 2016. This suggests that workers don’t have to be in a high-risk work situation (like being on a ladder or crane) to be in danger of a serious fall. Even routine jobs require safe practices in the workplace. Employers must train employees on these practices and enforce them to avoid preventable falls.
Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a San Francisco Slip and Fall Attorney
As this list should make clear, there are many ways a person can sustain a slip and fall injury. Victims of negligence have the legal right to be compensated for their lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, property damage, and other losses caused by the slip and fall accident. Your right to compensation might be against a property owner, an employer, a nursing home, or a company. This is why it is vital to hire an experienced slip and fall lawyer who knows how to file your personal injury claim properly.
At Deldar Legal, our San Francisco slip and fall attorneys fight hard for accident victims. We protect them from lowball settlement offers and other insurance company tactics and give injury victims a fighting chance against insurance companies and their many lawyers. Call Deldar Legal at (844) 335-3271 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation with an attorney.
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