7 Common Places Where Slip and Fall Accidents Occur

Slipping or tripping on something and falling over is often seen as a minor embarrassment. Nothing more.

But did you know that slip and falls account for 1 million visits to the hospital emergency room? That’s 12% of all falls in the United States.

The reason for this is that some slip and fall accidents have the tendency to injure people badly. You’re at risk of breaking your bones due to slip and falls due to the human body’s natural reflex to cushion a fall using the arms.

So what do you do if you’re involved in a slip and fall accident and think it happened because of someone’s negligence? You call experts like Emroch & Kilduff slip and fall injury attorneys or other similar law firms. They will analyze your case and take all the steps necessary to get you fair compensation.

But all that comes after you’ve suffered an injury. You have to be careful enough not to slip and fall. This article helps with that. It talks about 7 places where you’re prone to slip and fall and injure yourself.

Sidewalks and Walkways

These are among the spots that must be maintained in prime condition, mainly because of the footfall they get. But sadly, that isn’t the case. Sidewalks and walkways are often subjected to poor or zero maintenance, making it a challenge to get through unscathed.

The common factors that can cause slip and falls on sidewalks and walkways are

■ Cracks or debris

■ Weather conditions

■ Uneven surfaces

Stairs

Slip and fall accidents on staircases can be dangerous. Even a minor slip can result in serious injuries to your knees, elbows, or hands. As stairs are present in almost every building in the US, it is the duty of the property owner to maintain them.

Some reasons why people slip and fall on stairs are:

■ Poor design

■ Lack of handrails

■ Slippery conditions

Construction Sites

Construction sites are some of the busiest spots in the city. The place is abuzz with activity, with people marching around, moving things, and giving orders. It’s easy to miss an uncleaned mess or a stray wire amidst all this chaos.

The presence of heavy machinery, power tools, and the height factor make construction zones a dangerous place for nasty injuries like electrocutions, burns, or TBIs. The following elements pose a risk of slip and fall in construction zones:

■ Uneven surfaces

■ Slippery conditions

■ Poorly-built scaffolding

■ Ramps without skip- or slip-resistant surfaces

■ Debris in areas of high footfall

■ Insufficient lighting

■ Poorly-arranged wires, hoses, or cables

Amusement Parks

Amusement parks are a lot of fun, especially for those with kids, but they aren’t immune to slip and fall accidents. Uncleaned messes and garbage are the main culprits when it comes to slipping and falling in amusement parks.

The messes aside, the huge crowds, especially near water rides, increase the risk of slip and fall accidents.

Shopping Malls

Shopping malls are among the busiest places in the city. In addition to shopping, a lot of people visit shopping malls to just hang out.

Spills on the floor that are left uncleaned can cause slip and fall accidents. That aside, faulty elevators and escalators are among the top causes of slip and falls in shopping malls. 

Bars and Restaurants

Huge crowds in restaurants are a recipe for slip and fall accidents. People trying to make it to their tables while trying to avoid the other patron is the number one reason for slip and falls in restaurants. Freshly-mopped floors and uncleaned messes also lead to slip and fall accidents.

Slip and fall accidents in bars are pretty self-explanatory. Patrons who’ve had one drink too many are bound to slip or trip on something and fall sooner or later. Dim lighting, the presence of stray wires in bars with live performances, and overcrowding can also lead to slip and fall accidents.

Movie Theaters

Movie theaters are another spot that sees a high number of visitors. Wet floors and spills, especially near the snack counters, often lead to slip and fall accidents. The absence of light inside movie theaters makes people vulnerable to slip or trip and fall off seats or other people.

Conclusion

Slip and fall accidents have the potential to cause serious, life-threatening injuries. In some extreme cases, they also lead to death. Property owners have the responsibility to maintain their premises, whether commercial or residential, free of elements that may cause slip and fall accidents.

If you’ve been injured due to a slip and fall accident, know that help is available. Reach out to a lawyer today!

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