Slip and Fall Accidents Statistics

While many slip-and-fall accidents can be avoided, sometimes conditions beyond our control or knowledge can cause this common mishap. In fact, slips and falls are so common they can be considered a public health crisis, especially when the consequences can be deadly or cause severe injury.
 
Preventing slip and fall accidents is something that property owners should be proactive about if they want to avoid liability in a civil action. Property owners owe a duty of care to customers, visitors, and employees to maintain safe conditions on their premises.
 
While wet and uneven walking surfaces cause the majority of slip, trip, and fall accidents worldwide, other culprits frequently cause people to take a spill. Here is a list of causes of slip and fall accidents:

• Wet floors
• Loose floorboards
• Loose rugs and mats
• Threadbare or torn carpeting
• Freshly waxed floors  
• Damaged sidewalks
• Parking lot potholes
• Faulty staircases
• Defective handrails
• Debris and clutter in walkways
• Pooling moisture
• Unsalted icy or snowy walkways
• Poor safety training in the workplace
• Electrical cords and cables
• Nursing home neglect
• Poor lighting

Older adults are more likely to die from a slip-and-fall than any other type of accident after age 65. Sadly, slip-and-fall accident statistics are trending upward in this demographic. Older adults have risk factors for falling that younger people may not be as vulnerable to, such as:

• Weakness in the lower body
• Problems with vision, hearing, and reflexes
• Vitamin D deficiency (causing loss of bone density)
• Use of medications
• Health conditions that affect balance, such as heart disease and diabetes
• Cognitive impairment
• Loss of muscle mass due to aging
• Blood pressure drops
• Safety hazards at home, other residences, public spaces, and businesses

Nursing homes that fail to maintain a safe environment for residents or provide sufficient care to prevent a fall may be held liable for damages that occur as a consequence. Leaving your loved ones in the care of others is never an easy decision. Still, when that choice has to be made, we expect our loved ones will receive the proper care and their needs will be met.
 
Nursing home residents are far more vulnerable to serious injury and death from falling because they are frail. Because of this, nursing home administrators and staff should be vigilant about keeping the premises safe and keeping a close eye on them.
 
When caretakers fail in their obligation to nursing home residents, Morgan and Morgan may be able to help recover compensation for their neglect. Nursing homes are regulated by the federal government under the Nursing Home Reform Act, and most states have laws that govern how these institutions should be run as well.
 
Neglecting the care and safety of patients are grounds for a lawsuit in the case of injury or death.

To recover compensation for injuries incurred by a slip and fall on someone else's property, you must prove that the property owner was negligent in their duty of care toward you. Specific requirements of a slip-and-fall lawsuit vary from state to state, but generally, the property owner must have created a dangerous condition through negligence that resulted in your injuries. Your status as a visitor to the property will also have some bearing.
 
For instance, suppose you were out walking and decided to take a shortcut back home across someone's property. On your way back, you stumble on some loose pavers and fracture your wrist, trying to break your fall. In that case, your case wouldn't likely stand up in court because you were on the property without the owner's knowledge or consent.
 
However, suppose you suffered the same injury from loose pavers at your neighbor's Halloween party for which you were an invited attendee. In that case, you may have a valid claim. Still, it may come down to demonstrating that your neighbor knew of the dangers on their property and didn't take steps to fix it or warn you of the hazard.
 
Slip and fall lawsuits can be further tricky because of who is actually occupying the property. Not all property owners are automatically liable for an accident. The property may be leased to a business that ultimately has the responsibility to maintain the property. Identifying the appropriate party to sue is part of the role of a premises liability lawyer.

A hazardous condition can exist on a property, but you must have sustained some injury as a result of the condition to have a valid claim. Here are some examples that point to negligent behavior:

• Failure to warn of slippery surfaces (not putting out a wet floor sign while mopping)
• Poor inspection of the property
• Failure to address or warn of slippery surfaces caused by weather
• Failure to install proper lighting
• Poor choice of materials to construct a steep pathway
• Failure to fix broken sidewalks, paths, and walkways
• Failure to replace torn carpeting
• Leaving debris or spills on flooring
• Failure to repair appliances or machinery that leaks liquids onto the flooring
• Failure to maintain sturdy handrails and staircases

Slip and fall accident statistics are surprising for some. However, that's not the case at Morgan and Morgan. We're very familiar with the damage this kind of accident can cause and how to pursue compensation from negligent parties. We'll work with you to determine the value of your claim and take the necessary steps to initiate and negotiate a settlement. If necessary, we can represent you in a trial. The amount of compensation you may be eligible for will depend on a variety of factors. Generally, the severity of your injuries will be a key consideration in the amount you can recover.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation.