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From time to time, we hear or witness people getting injuries from slip and fall accidents. There is a high probability that you, too, may have tripped or lost balance and fallen off while walking. Slips and falls are a common occurrence for many people, especially seniors over 55 years old. Unfortunately, when such an accident occurs, nothing is cut and dry. A slip and fall is a common accident that can occur at any place and time. All you need to do is take care and observe the necessary precautions to prevent it from happening. Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere, from parking lots and sidewalks to vacation rental properties, school or childcare playgrounds, and even shopping malls.
In most cases, people assume that slipping and falling is their fault. That is not always the case because business owners, landlords, property owners, and other employees may be irresponsible. All the individuals mentioned above have a role to play in maintaining the properties and surfaces under their care. Premises liability refers to any act of irresponsibility that could lead to a slip and fall incident. If this concept applies to your accident, you may be able to seek compensation from the responsible party.
The effects of a slip and fall accident can range from just minor bruises to sprains, spinal injuries, or even death. Therefore, you might wish to understand its common causes and go over some example scenarios and statistics. This guide outlines key facts about slip and fall accidents and how a California personal injury law firm can assist you if youโre ever in such a situation.
Many Slip And Fall Accidents Can Be Avoided
Slips and falls can be common and costly; therefore, they are considered a public health problem. Still, many slip and fall accidents are avoidable. To minimize the occurrence of such accidents, businesses and individuals must take precautions to help keep their property reasonably safe for customers, guests, and employees.
The United States Department of Labor has published a guide for property owners and employers on how to keep the workplace safe to minimize slip and fall accidents. Despite that, the National Safety Council (NSC) reports that a considerable percentage of unintentional deaths in the U.S are caused by slip and fall accidents.
The 8 Common Causes Of Slip And Fall Accidents
1. Wet And Uneven Walking Surfaces
Among the primary causes of slip and fall accidents are wet and uneven surfaces. Damp and uneven surfaces are responsible for more than half of all reported slip and fall cases in this country. As far as wet and uneven sidewalks are concerned, the following factors can be very hazardous:
- Loose floorboards
- Loose mats
- Worn-out carpeting
- Freshly waxed or mopped surfaces
- Parking lot potholes
- Defective sidewalks
- Poorly constructed staircases
- Cluttered floors
- Moisture collection
The conditions mentioned above make wet and uneven surfaces the most common cause of slip and fall accidents in domestic, commercial, industrial, and even public places. This also applies to slip and fall accidents in restaurants, where wet kitchen floors, spilled drinks, or cluttered dining areas can create serious hazards for both customers and employees. It is everyoneโs responsibility to minimize these risks and address unsafe conditions whenever possible.
2. Weather
Weather is a natural occurrence that is impossible to control. Weather-related conditions are a significant factor in slip and fall accidents worldwide.
You can engage in various activities during the winter season, but be cautious.
Even building owners have a legal responsibility to shovel the sidewalks, plow streets, and salt walkways during this season. Failure to take these precautionary steps may result in someone getting injured. Some slip and fall incidents can also be caused by weather-related negligence.
3. Poor Training
Inadequate training is a common cause of many slip and fall accidents in the construction industry. Every employee, as well as employers, must undergo proper training to avoid slipping and falling while on duty. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, in conjunction with other organizations, has developed a guideline that educates individuals on how to avoid slip and fall accidents. Proper training is a critical element in this particular cause. Therefore, everyone on the construction site must be adequately trained on how to walk safely and also how to use various tools and equipment. Otherwise, the employer may be liable for the damages caused to the victim(s).
4. Stray Cords And Electrical Wires
Another common cause of slip and fall accidents is the presence of stray electrical cords and wires. These cords can catch shoes or cause pedestrians to lose their balance, causing slips and falls. Many people encounter this hazard on streets, in workplaces, or in public spaces.
Falls caused by stray cords and wires can result in serious bodily injuries, including sprains, back injuries, and head injuries. Property owners or responsible parties should address these hazards to reduce risk. An experienced injury attorney can offer guidance on whether you may qualify for compensation for bodily injuries sustained in such incidents.
5. Nursing Home Neglect
Many slip and fall cases occur in nursing homes. Here, older adults may be left on their own, and this situation contributes to slip and fall accidents in California nursing homes. Aging and sick people have a reduced sense of balance. That leaves them at an increased risk of slipping and falling. Such accidents can be life-threatening and even make their current situation worse. It is the responsibility of ward administrators and nurses to assist and monitor their movements within their premises.
6. Footwear
Among the main causes of slips and falls is improper footwear. Slips and falls are not limited only to women who wear high heels. Even those who wear work boots and sneakers are equally at risk. If the shoes do not offer the best traction, you will be prone to slipping and falling.
Therefore, consider wearing the right type of shoes with sufficient traction to avoid slip and fall accidents.
7. Broken Or Damaged Handrails
Handrails are tools that are fixed to posts or walls to support people as they walk on pavements or staircases. Many slip and fall cases are linked to broken or absent handrails. Handrails are very important even in the bathroom. If you slip and fall on private premises due to a lack of handrails, you may have grounds to seek compensation.
8. Poor Lighting
Poor lighting systems in buildings and pavements are among the common causes of slipping and falling accidents. The Board of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires every workplace and other public properties to be well-lit. Proper lighting will improve vision, especially for those walking at night. Employers need to pay attention to the illumination of walkways, sidewalks, and staircases. Failure to install proper lighting makes it difficult for one to navigate safely from one point to another. If one gets injured in a slip and fall accident, the employer or property owner may be liable for any resulting damages.
Other significant causes of slip and fall accidents include poor stairway maintenance, pavement defects, snow and ice accumulation, torn, raised, or worn carpeting, and spilled liquids on the floor.
Examples Of Negligence In A California Slip And Fall Lawsuit
Your age doesnโt matter; someoneโs negligence can cause disastrous slip and fall accidents. At Arash Law, we have represented numerous clients in their injury cases across California. Our years of experience in such cases have led us to identify several examples of negligence that can be used in a slip and fall claim.
- Failure to install handrails and other accommodations in inappropriate places.
- Failure to install warning signs of slippery surfaces.
- Poor stocking of shelves and goods in the market.
- Failure to spread out runner carpets when it is raining and after the rain.
- Poor choice of flooring materials in various walking surfaces.
- Poor property inspection.
- Failing to repair and maintain leaky appliances like freezers and fridges.
- Failure to note, clean, and warn people who spill things deliberately or unknowingly on walking surfaces.
- Having employees use inadequate floor cleaning solutions.
- Failure to rectify slip and fall hazards caused by weather conditions.
- Failure to rectify uneven walking surfaces.
- Failure to provide employees with proper job training, especially on construction sites.
- Failure to install a proper lighting system in both residential and commercial buildings.
- Poor use of flooring material and signage on steep walkways.
- Failure to maintain the stairways can cause a slip and fall accident.
Popular Statistics About Slip And Fall Accidents That Occur In California
1. More Than 8.5 Million People Were Admitted To Emergency Rooms Because Of Fall-Related Injuries In 2022 Alone
California alone records a significant number of these cases. It is also surprising that unintentional falls are a leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States. At Arash Law, our personal injury lawyers experienced in handling slip and falls in California can help you pursue compensation for your accident-related losses. Call us, and we will assess the validity of your claim.
2. The Cost Of Remedying A Severe Slip And Fall Injury Can Be Significant.
That amount can be quite significant for an average Californian. The nursing costs not only devastate the affected families but also raise insurance costs. To learn whether you can seek reimbursement for your injuries due to slips and falls, consult our California personal injury attorneys.
3. About 5% Of All Slip And Fall Accidents Involve Broken Bones
Many slip and fall cases have led to broken hip bones, arms, and spinal bones. Some of these bone fractures can result in severe injuries. Our personal injury attorneys can help assess the extent of these injuries and factor in their potential value into your claim.
4. A Significant Number Of Recorded Slip And Fall Incidents Injure Older Adults
That fact suggests that as you age, your bodyโs balance deteriorates. For these sets of individuals, slips and falls cause more significant injuries than they do for younger people.
5. Slips And Falls Are A Common Cause Of Brain Injury Accidents
Although many cases of brain injuries are recorded from organized sports, they can also stem from slip and fall accidents. A brain injury has the potential to stagnate every aspect of your life. Depending on its severity, you may want to ask a personal injury attorney to help you pursue compensation.
6. Medical Bills For Slip And Fall Accidents Can Be Very High
Costs for treating slip and fall injuries can reach several billion dollars each year in the U.S. alone. Medical bills are among the leading causes of bankruptcy.
7. It Is Common For Those Injured In Slip And Fall Accidents To Miss Several Days Of Work
During this period, injured workers on leave are counted absent from work. Besides medical bills and other damages, such absences can cause further financial losses. Furthermore, slip and fall accidents can lower productivity and be emotionally and physically stressful for the victim. If you are one such individual, our team can assist you in seeking recovery for lost income and other damages.
8. A Small Percentage Of Slip And Fall Cases Proceed To A Jury Trial
Though most slip and fall accident claims are settled outside of court, they may need to be litigated if a settlement cannot be reached through negotiations. An experienced injury attorney will evaluate your case to determine whether it has merit to go to a jury trial or not. Consider contacting Arash Law, an established injury law firm in California, for legal matters related to slip and fall injuries.
How Our Experienced California Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help
If you get injured in a slip and fall accident, our experienced California injury attorneys can assist you with legal matters and help advocate for your rights. Arash Law injury lawyers will help you assess the value of your claim and suggest appropriate legal actions. If you have a case, we can help you prepare it and identify the parties who are potentially responsible for your injuries. Since recovering from a slip and fall accident is likely a stressful process, you may need the assistance of an injury lawyer.
Additionally, there are complexities involved in slip and fall accidents that can be overwhelming if you navigate them alone. At Arash Law, weโll investigate and collect key evidence to help build your case.
When you get hurt in a slip and fall, our California law firm can help you seek compensation from the potentially responsible party. If your fall was caused by someone else, you may consider seeking damages from them. We can assist you in filing a claim to recover your losses.
More About Our California Slip And Fall Injury Law Firm
Our injury lawyers at Arash Law serve clients across California. We take cases on a contingency fee basis, which means clients donโt need to pay our attorneys unless theyโre able to collect compensation. Do note that they may still be charged separately for other case-related costs. During our consultation, you can ask our lawyers to go over the fee agreement in more detail and address any cost-related questions you may have.
If you are injured in a slip and fall accident in Los Angeles, Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto, San Diego, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, or anywhere else in California, contact us at (888) 488-1391.
Our experienced lawyers also represent victims of slip and fall accidents in:
- Target
- Albertsons
- Carlโs Jr.
- Costco
- FoodMaxx
- Glendale Galleria
- Home Depot
- In-N-Out
- Jack in the Box
- McDonaldโs
- Raleyโs Supermarkets
- Ralphs
- Rubyโs Diner
- Safeway Market
- Save Mart
- Trader Joeโs
- Walmart
- Whole Foods
When you work with us, we can gather evidence and other essential information that can help us estimate the potential value of your compensation. We are dedicated to advocating for our clientsโ rights and negotiating settlements for their slip and fall accidents. Arash Law also has skilled car accident lawyers experienced in various types of vehicle crashes, such as speeding-related accidents, hit-and-run incidents, DUI crashes, and others. Fill out our โDo I Have A Case?โ form to know whether you have a viable claim.
