Accidents involving slipping and falling can occur anytime, anywhere. These collisions can have a range of consequences, from minor grazes and bruises to catastrophic head and spinal cord damage.
Some are even lethal, though. However, the vast majority of these incidents may be managed to avoid. Some individuals might be surprised to learn the top ten reasons why people slip and fall. However, they do a good job of demonstrating how simple it would be to stop them.
1. Wet and Uneven Floor
One of the most frequent risks that can cause falls is wet or uneven floors. Wet floors are harmful as well as a slip hazard. Cleaning up spills is crucial because even a small amount of water can cause flooring to become slick. Additionally, uneven flooring can be dangerous, especially if they are close to stairways or other places where people might be walking.
If your floor is uneven, make sure to replace it right away or post a warning sign to let visitors know to be cautious. You may reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents in your house by keeping your flooring dry and level.
2. Poor Lighting
One of the most frequent reasons for slip and fall incidents is poor lighting. People are more likely to trip and fall in dimly lit areas because it is harder to identify possible hazards.
In rare instances, insufficient lighting may be the result of an intentional effort to create a harmful situation. For instance, a business might turn down the lights to make the location less enticing if it wants to prevent patrons from loitering after hours. Accident risk may rise as a result of this, though.
To discuss your legal options if you or a loved one has been hurt in a slip and fall accident, you need to contact an accomplished personal injury attorney.
3. Unsafe Ladders and Stairs
The National Safety Council reports that slip-and-fall accidents are the main reason for workplace injuries. Nearly 20% of all reported injuries each year are caused by them.
Unsafe ladders and stairs are a major factor in many of these mishaps. Uneven steps, loose handrails, and congested walkways can all pose dangers that could cause a fall.
To aid in averting these mishaps, a safe environment must always be maintained. Check ladders and stairs frequently for frayed railings or other potential hazards. Keep walkways clutter-free and check that the floor surfaces are dry and clean. These easy safety measures can help in lowering the likelihood of slip and fall accidents.
4. Improper Training
Bad training is one of the major contributors to slip and fall accidents. For instance, many employees lack the necessary training to safely clean up accidents. As a result, they can use the incorrect tools or neglect to take the necessary safety procedures, putting both themselves and other people at risk of falling.
Other employees can be blind to the dangers presented by messy workspaces or slick surfaces. These workers are more prone to cause an accident if they lack the right education and training.
Additionally, a lot of employers do not adequately supervise their staff. It can result in employees cutting corners or disregarding safety protocols, which raises the risk of a slip and fall accident. Employers can assist lower the likelihood of these mishaps by making sure that all employees receive enough training and supervision.
5. Environmental Conditions
Slip and fall accidents can also be caused by the environment. Environmental dangers that might cause slips and falls include:
- Trash or debris on the floor
- Crossing cords on a sidewalk
- Extremely bright illumination that is reflected off of glossy floor surfaces
- Open drawers and cabinets
- Transitions in flooring, switching from one type of flooring to another
The following safety precautions for patron protection should be taken by property owners to reduce the possibility of a slip and fall accident:
- Removing all obstructions from the route, such as cords, open drawers, and doors
- Having the right lighting
6. Weather Conditions
The weather unfortunately cannot be changed. However, a great deal of slip and fall accidents are caused by the weather. Even though threats are not just prevalent in the winter, it is crucial to practice winter safety measures.
Legally, both private property owners and local governments are required to salt pathways and stairs, plow roadways, and shovel sidewalks. They might be held accountable if they didn’t do it and someone gets hurt. Indeed, this kind of negligence has directly led to some of the largest slip and fall compensation awards.
7. Neglect in a Nursing Home
The fact that nursing home negligence is one of the most frequent causes of slip and fall accidents is quite concerning. The sense of balance in older adults is greatly diminished, which increases their risk of falling. In fact, one in three persons over 65 fall each year, according to the CDC.
Unfortunately, there is a substantially higher likelihood that the injury may be fatal. Typically, they cause hip fractures. The fact that so many administrators and staff members in nursing homes fail to appropriately support and monitor their residents is a very alarming figure. As a result, it is one of the locations where a slip and fall accident is most likely to happen.
8. Improper Footwear
Walking in new places might be difficult for people wearing shoes that don’t fit properly or have insufficient traction.
The National Floor Safety Institute estimates that incorrect footwear accounts for about 24% of all slips and falls. However, this does not imply that the only persons at risk are those who wear six-inch heels. Both shoes and work boots can be harmful, in fact.
When shoes do not provide the proper kind of traction, a significant risk arises. Slips and falls may result from this, not only at work but also at home or even in public.
9. Excessive Focus on Surroundings
Visitors may become enough disoriented by focusing on the surroundings to ignore the walking conditions in front of them and stumble. Customers who are, for instance, examining the foods on the shelves or the surroundings may be more likely to slip and fall and sustain an injury.
10. Fraud
Another startling statistic is this one. The National Floor Safety Institute estimates that about 3% of slip-and-fall claims are false.
In certain situations, this was accomplished by preparing the ground for the fall. For example, someone could deliberately spill oil in a grocery store, causing them to trip over it.
As an alternative, some people sue a party who is not at fault for their injury to recover damages. For instance, someone can claim that an injury they experienced occurred at work even when they actually received it at home.
Last but not least, there are instances where a slip and fall injury is reported but never actually happened. Thankfully, fraud instances are quite uncommon, but they do rank among the top 10 causes of slip and fall incidents.
Takeaway
Although there are many different causes of slip and fall accidents, there are a few important lessons that you should take away. Always be aware of your surroundings, pay attention to where you are going, and use traction-enhancing footwear to stay safe.
If you have a slip-and-fall accident, get medical help right away, and tell your manager or supervisor about it. With these safety measures in mind, maybe you will avoid adding your name to the list of slip and fall victims.