A fall is an accident that has the potential to result in serious injuries or even death, and in many occasions, require hospitalization. It is a fairly common accident as well. In fact, there are over 25,000 slip, trip and fall accidents each day in the US, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).

Furthermore, falls are the leading factor of deaths in those 65 and older, according to the NSC. Slip and fall accidents can happen almost anywhere, but they tend to happen more frequently on specific types of flooring, which we will detail below.

Keep in mind that it's important to take action if you have suffered a slip and fall injury. Proving negligence is a big part of it. We suggest you retain legal counsel in doing so. Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law is here to assist you. Our slip and fall lawyers have helped many clients just like yourself.

Types of Surfaces That Commonly Lead To a Slip and Fall Accident

Maintain safety and lower your risk of injury by being aware of the flooring that is most likely to result in slip and fall accidents. There are many causes, but some examples of the surface types that could be hazardous this type of accident include the following:

Wet Surfaces

Slipping and fall can take place anywhere. However, some locations are riskier than others, especially wet floors. If a surface is wet, it becomes a dangerous slipping hazard. One can lose their footing, slip, and become severely injured or worse. This takes place in commercial, retail, and in the workplace the most frequently.

The legal obligation to ensure a safe environment for employees, visitors, and clients falls on employers and property owners. If an employer, property owner, or property management breaches this duty and someone suffers significant injuries or death, the injured party or their family is entitled to financial compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.

Waxed or Recently Mopped Floors

Falling on recently waxed or mopped floors is dangerous. Holding the company liable for covering the cost of the medical treatment needed to treat your injuries is important. If the injuries are severe enough, you might need future medical care and even miss work.

If you sustain a crippling injury as a result of a slip and fall accident, you might not be able to return to your normal employment or perform any jobs at all. In this situation, you should confirm that the injury's long-term financial effects are taken into account when you seek compensation.

Polished Floors

All marble floors must be mopped, free of dust and other debris, and cleaned with water and specialized cleaners. Following the manufacturer's instructions, only non-wax marble polish should be applied, not entirely wiping off the surface roughness.

These composite flooring surfaces, while generally durable, pose a significant slip risk, especially when cleaned with cleaner-wax combo products. It is a good idea to periodically strip and clean the floor before sealing it with synthetic glue or non-slip wax. Vinyl flooring shouldn't be polished or shined very often.

If a business or property owner doesn't follow these instructions and someone suffers a slip and falls because of it, they may be held liable for damages.

Damaged Linoleum Floors

Any sort of flooring, including linoleum, carpet, ceramic tile, stone, hardwood, etc., can eventually, with time, become uneven or loose. If damaged flooring isn't fixed right away, it should be well-lit and marked with warning signs if there is a chance of danger. When these precautions are not taken, there is the risk that someone could potentially fall and hurt themselves.

Loose or Damaged Wood Flooring

Excessive moisture is the main cause of problems with wood floors. Water on or under the floor, insufficient or improper acclimation, poor installation, and high humidity can all increase the probability of a slip and fall occurrence.

If you reside in a humid area, the floor may absorb moisture from the air during the rainy season. As a result, the wood will expand, which can cause a tripping hazard.

Damaged or Frayed Carpets or Rugs

Carpets with holes or fraying might be a tripping hazard. Due to loose carpet, area rugs, and mats shifting under people's feet, someone could potentially fall.

The number of Americans 65 and older who receive medical attention each year is estimated at nearly 38,000. Tripping over carpets and rugs was the cause of 54% of emergency room visits for falls. Among these falls, nearly 73% happened at home.

Slippery Surfaces

Slippery or uneven walking surfaces are a significant contributor to injuries and fall hazards. The surfaces where these injuries usually occur are:

• Parking lots / garages
• Sidewalks (or lack thereof)
• Kitchens
• Boarding house shower rooms
• Common floors

Traction on outdoor surfaces can change substantially as the weather changes. The dampness that is transported indoors by foot traffic could then damage surfaces, leading to slipping hazards.

It's important to regularly check for slipping hazards and wet flooring. Indoor safety precautions are important to prevent these types of injuries. Warning signs, area rugs and other preventive measures are important.

Slip and Fall Stats in the US

• In 2019, there were about 900 fatal slip and falls reported in all jobs.
• More than 60% of all slip and fall accidents occurred in the retail, wholesale, and service industries.
• Men are responsible for 11% of all fatal workplace accidents, compared to women's 5% (via the Bureau of Labor Statistics).
• More than 85% of workers' compensation claims are related to accidents when employees slip and fall (via Industrial Safety & Occupational Health Marketplace)
• Medical costs associated with workplace slip and fall accidents cost more than $70 billion annually (via National Safety Council).

Hire The Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys at Brandon J. Broderick

Ensuring the safety of employees and visitors of a business or property is the duty of the owners or managers. If they do not provide this safety, especially in preventing a slip and fall accident, an injured party can seek compensation. We can help you in this process if it has happened to you.

Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law has decades of experience in helping clients resolve slip and fall accidents. We have sued and won thousands of cases, getting our clients the compensation they deserve.

Call us for a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys about your slip and fall accident today.