What Causes Most Slip-and-Falls?

More than one million people are estimated to go to the ER annually for slip-and-fall accidents. Injuries vary from bumps, bruises, broken bones, and even head trauma. Most of these accidents can be prevented, and the property owner can sometimes be liable.

Learn about the most common causes of slip-and-fall injuries below. If you suffered an injury in a recent slip-and-fall accident, our personal injury attorney at Littlejohn Law could assist with a claim against the liable party. Our attorney serves Richland County and Columba, South Carolina, as well as Allendale, Jasper, Orangeburg, and Hampton.

Wet or Uneven Surfaces

Wet and uneven surfaces are the most common cause of falls resulting in injury. In the United States, these types of incidents account for about 55 percent of all slip-and-fall cases. Some of the common causes of wet and uneven surface accidents are:

• potholes in parking lots

• broken sidewalks

• loose carpeting

• wet floor from waxing or mopping

• loose floorboards

• wet or icy sidewalks

Sadly, these conditions are all too common in many public places and some private homes. If the property owner knew or should have known of the unsafe condition, you can receive compensation in a premises liability claim.

Unsafe Stairs and Ladders

If you use ladders or stairs that are unsafe or poorly maintained, you can have a severe slip-and-fall accident. Dangerous situations involving stairs and ladders include:

• no handrails

• warped or worn steps

• trash and debris on steps

• polished or waxed steps without a no-skid surface

• poorly secured ladder

Stray Wires and Cords

Another common issue that causes these accidents is stray cords and wires. When you are walking in a room or on the street, a loose cord can trip you and cause a severe injury. If the property owner or other entity did not keep the area free of loose wires and cords, you could file a claim against them.

Poor Weather Conditions

Weather is a significant cause of slip-and-fall accidents. Whether it is rain, ice, or snow, it is important that property owners and managers keep areas safe for the public. For example, property owners and managers must clear sidewalks of snow and ice. If they fail to do so, they can be found negligent. Many significant settlements have come from slip-and-fall accidents in poor weather.

Improper Training

Some slip-and-fall accidents happen on the job, especially in the construction industry. In many of these cases, the problem is the need for more training for at-risk employees. The fact is that many of these accidents can be prevented with better training. All workers in a high-risk field must be correctly trained to use all equipment and tools. If you were not properly trained on the job and suffered an injury in a fall, you can file a claim.

Contact a Columbia Slip-and-Fall Attorney

Were you recently injured in a Columbia slip-and-fall accident? You can have a claim against the property owner or manager. Please contact our slip-and-fall attorney at Littlejohn Law. You can be eligible for compensation in a personal injury claim.