Slip and Fall Accidents: A Serious Problem

Slip and Fall Accidents: A Serious Problem For most people, slip and fall accidents don’t seem like the type of thing that they should be worried about. However, according to statistics from the National Safety Council, millions of Americans are seriously injured in falling accidents each year, and more than 20,000 of these individuals die as a result of their injuries. Older individuals are at particular risk of suffering a serious injury or fatality in a slip and fall accident. In fact, according to this report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fall accidents are the leading cause of injury-related deaths for older individuals, ahead of car accidents and other types of serious accidents which are more commonly acknowledged as posing a threat to a person’s life. In light of the considerable potential for damage that a slip and fall accident may pose, it is important to be aware of the dangers which may be associated with slip and fall accidents and know what you can do to avoid these hazards.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can occur for any number of different reasons. Sometimes, a person simply loses their balance or isn’t looking where they’re going. However, there are a number of common causes of slip and fall accident that, if recognized, can easily be avoided. These include the following:

• Slick or wet walking surfaces
• Loose or unsecured rugs, mats, and floor runners
• Debris or other obstacles in walkways
• Loose cords or electrical lines

These are just some of the many different factors that can significantly increase an individual’s likelihood of being involved in a serious slip and fall accident. Therefore, when you recognize these or other potential hazards, you should take the necessary precautions to ensure that you avoid suffering a serious or even life-threatening injury.

Slip and Fall Accidents and Premises Liability

While every person should be careful to avoid potential hazards in order to prevent a slip and fall accident, it may also be the responsibility of others to ensure that these hazards do not occur in the first place. In fact, the owners of the property on which a slip and fall accident occurs may be held accountable for the injury’s consequences if lack of proper maintenance or a failure to warn others of potential hazards was to blame for the accident’s occurrence. A slip and fall accident can have a wide range of harmful effects on an individual’s life, including costly medical bills and lost income, or even a disabling injury which prevents a person from securing gainful employment. For all of these reasons, when someone suffers a slip and fall injury on someone else’s property, they may be entitled to compensation to help pay for their losses. This guest post was provided by a Clearwater personal injury lawyer.