Six Most Common Causes of Slip and Falls

Often, we witness or hear about people sustaining injuries, such as fractures, traumatic brain injury, a broken bone, soft tissue injuries, and spinal cord injury, from slip and fall hazards. Odds are that you too may have lost balance or tripped and fell off while walking down the stairs. A slip and fall is a common hazard for many people, especially seniors over 55 years. Unfortunately, when such a traumatic incident occurs, nothing is clear-cut.

Slip and falls are typical accidents, and they can happen at any place and time. You only need to take care and observe all the safety precautions to prevent potential hazards from happening. Often, people assume that slip and fall accidents are their fault. That isn't always the case because landlords, business owners, property owners, and other employees could be reckless on their part. All the people mentioned above have a crucial role to play in the maintenance of the surfaces and properties that they are in charge of. Any act of negligence that may cause slip and fall accidents is known as premises liability. Since it isn't your fault, you can recover financial compensation from by the responsible party.

The effects of a slip and fall accident can range from just minor bruises to severe injuries, such as brain injuries, hip fractures, and spinal injuries, and in extreme cases even death. Thus, if you've been injured in a slip and fall accident that wasn't your fault, speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. At Ktenas Injury Lawyers, our skilled Chicago slip and fall lawyers have helped thousands of injury victims recover fair compensation they need to cover their present and future medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To schedule a no-cost consultation, contact our Chicago personal injury law firm today at (312) 300-2515. 

What Causes Someone to Slip and Fall?

Most of the Slip and fall incidents are avoidable. Slip and fall accidents are very common and expensive; thus, they are referred to as safety hazards. You can avoid slipping and falling in any place. However, that requires the premise owners and businesses to take reasonable steps to eliminate these hazards. 

It's devastating that, according to the National Safety Council, a significant percentage of unintentional deaths in the United States are caused by slip and fall-related injuries. Therefore, these hazards can be prevented or reduced if only every person plays their role as required.

Common causes of slip and falls include:

1. Wet Floor and Uneven Walking Surfaces

The most common cause of slip and falls across the globe is slippery floors and uneven surfaces. Wet floors and uneven surfaces cause over 50% of all the reported slip and fall accidents in the United States. As far as slippery floors and wet flooring are concerned, the following conditions can be very hazardous:

•  Loose mats,
• Loose floorboards,
•  Worn out carpets,
•  Freshly waxed or polished floors,
• Defective sidewalks,
•  Parking lot potholes,
•  Poorly constructed stairs,
•  Cluttered floors, and
•  Moisture collection.

The above unsafe conditions make wet surfaces the most common cause of slips and falls in commercial, domestic, industrial, and even public places. It's everyone's responsibility to prevent these occurrences from causing injuries and even deaths. Therefore, make sure that your floors and surfaces are uncluttered and fixed uneven or wet surfaces as soon as possible.

2. Improper Training

Lack of training is a common cause of slips and fall incidents in the construction industry. Every worker and even employers must undergo adequate training to avoid slip and fall accidents while on duty. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, together with other organizations, has created safety guidelines that educate people on how to eliminate slip and fall accidents. Proper training is a crucial component of this particular cause. Therefore, every person in the construction industry must be adequately trained on how to use various equipment and how you walk at the sites. Otherwise, the employer will be accountable for the financial damages suffered by the slip and fall victim. 

3. Stray Electrical Wires and Cords 

Stray wires and cords are another major cause of slip and fall accidents. These wires and cords hook the shoes, making your legs slide over, which causes you to slip and fall. Many of us have experienced this incident in the streets as we're busy walking.

The concerned bodies should take charge and correct this situation. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you get financial compensation you deserve after suffering injuries in such instances.

4. Nursing Home Negligence

It's heartbreaking many slip and fall cases occur in nursing homes. Many people in these institutions are very vulnerable. Most of them are abandoned by caregivers, and that is what makes slips and falls common in nursing homes. Sickly and aging people have a lower sense of balance. Such accidents are life-threatening and can even make their current condition worse. It's the responsibility of the nurses and ward administrators to help and monitor the movements of seniors within their premises.

5. Improper Footwear

The top cause of slip and falls is improper footwear. Slips and fall accidents are not only common among women who wear high heels. Even those people who wear work boots and sneakers are equally prone to slip and falls. If the shoes don't provide the best traction, you're prone to slipping and falling. Further, the type of footwear also matters a lot.

So, make sure you wear the right type of footwear with the proper traction to avoid slipping and falling.

6. Poor Lighting

Poor lighting systems on pavements and buildings are also common causes of slip and fall accidents. The board of Occupational Safety and Health Administration stipulates that every workplace and all other public properties must be well lit. Proper lighting improves vision, especially when walking at night. Employers must pay attention to the illumination of staircases, sidewalks, and walkways. Installing improper lighting makes it daunting for people to walk safely from one point to another. If one gets injured in a slip and fall accident, the employer or the property owner will be responsible for any financial damages the victim suffers.

Contact Our Skilled Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers Today for Legal Help!

If you sustained injuries in a slip and fall accident because of unsafe conditions that could have been avoided, our seasoned Chicago injury lawyers at Ktenas Injury Lawyers will fight fiercely to recover the maximum compensation you deserve to cover your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. To schedule a no-cost initial consultation, contact our legal team today at (312) 300-2515.