What Are the Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents?

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 800,000 people are hospitalized annually due to a fall injury in the US. While more prevalent with the older population, slip and fall accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere, and at any time. The resulting injuries vary widely from minor bruises and scratches to serious, life-threatening ones such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.



The consequences of slip and fall accidents can cause years of physical pain and mental agony. Also, these accidents can lead to financial difficulties due to huge medical bills or the incapability to work. To offset these bills and recover other damages resulting from the accident, you'll need to pursue legal action.

If the accident was due to the negligence or irresponsibility of another party like a business owner, landlord, or property owner, file a claim. However, also hire a skilled personal injury lawyer to increase your chances of getting significant compensation.

This article explores the various common causes of slip and fall accidents.

Hazardous Walking Surfaces

A common cause of slip and fall accidents is wet and uneven floors. Slippery floors due to water or other substances increase the risk of falls, especially where floors are smooth or waxed. A slippery floor may be due to recently mopped surfaces, icy surfaces, oil and grease spills, inferior chemicals in floor finish, and failure to use non-skid floor treatment when necessary.

Also, uneven walking surfaces indoors or outdoors presents a slip and fall hazard to users. Common causes of uneven floors include:

• Cluttered floors
• Loose mats, rugs, or flooring
• Loose cords and wires
• Torn or bulging carpet
• Parking lot potholes
• Defective sidewalks
• Poorly designed staircases
• Uneven walking surfaces without warning

Wet or uneven surfaces could be in homes, commercial establishments, or public places. If any of the above situations caused your slip and fall accident, you might have grounds for a personal injury claim. An experienced lawyer specializing in slip and fall accidents will investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident and advice on the best legal remedy.

Weather Conditions

Snow, ice, rain, sleet, hail, and water puddles create hazardous conditions that increase the risk of falls on business and residential properties. While these weather-related conditions are natural, property owners have a legal duty to ensure the safety of everyone visiting their property. Thus, if you're a victim of a slip and fall accident due to rain or other weather conditions on someone's property, you can sue them for damages.

As a property owner, plow streets, salt walkways, shovel sidewalks, and clean icy surfaces to avoid liability if someone gets injured on your property. Also, put signs to warn everybody using building entrances, walkways, car parks, and other areas affected by extreme weather.

Building Conditions

In some cases, the condition of a building can pose a risk of injury to visitors. These conditions include the following.

Faulty or Missing Handrails

When climbing stairs, most people rely on handrails for extra support. If a building has faulty handrails, injuries are likely to occur. If someone uses a faulty structure for support and places all their body weight, the handrail could break and cause injuries. Also, without handrails, someone may stumble, lose balance, and fall.

Poor Lighting

Without clear vision, people can fall on any surface. While a surface can be very safe during the day, the area might be hazardous to walk in the dark. Poorly lit sidewalks, walkways, garages, and staircases are especially perilous. Without proper illumination, it becomes challenging for one to navigate from one area to another safely.

If you fall due to such dangerous conditions in a property, the owner or employer may be accountable.

If your slip and fall accident is due to someone's negligence, seek legal representation. At the Law Office of Robert P Karwin, we'll fight for you to get you the deserved compensation.