Slip and Fall Accidents – An Overview
Written by Cooper & Friedman PLLC on June 3, 2015
Slip and fall accidents have become the majority of workers’ compensation claims and are the primary cause of occupational injury for people 55 years and older, according to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI). This statistic is alarming and has brought about the need to protect our workers and even our seniors residing in institutions. Because the incident rate of falls goes up each decade of life, the need for slip and fall protection has become more of a concern with changing U.S. demographics.
In general, slip and fall injuries are a legal issue in a personal injury case when one party is injured on a location belonging to another party. Slip and fall cases might arise because of dangerous conditions onsite like: narrow stairs, poor lighting and uneven surfaces. Also, incidents where someone has tripped or fallen downstairs or tripped because of a cracked sidewalk can become a legal case. Outdoor conditions like rain, ice, or snow have been known to cause a possible injury for workers as well.
Different parties may be at fault with slip and fall cases. These include the owner or possessor of commercial, residential or government property. All of these parties are responsible for providing safe working conditions and may become liable in the event of a slip and fall case.
Because these cases include an increasingly broad legal realm, they can include plaintiffs like: workers, house guests, shoppers and commercial residents. This means that grocery shoppers injured because of a puddle in the store might be able to recover damages from the store. A slip and fall injury or case is dependent on a lot of details, yet it is always important to understand your legal rights and know that you are protected. A plaintiff attorney with expertise in this legal specialty can offer additional information in the event that you need it.
The NFSI reports that around 50% of all accidental deaths in the home are the result of some type of fall. According to the NFSI, most injuries caused by a fall at home actually happen at the ground level. This fact is alarming for those who spend a lot of time working around the house. Safety is always important, but who would think you have to be extra cautious inside your own home? NSFI data reveals that for people over the age of 65, one out of three will have some type of fall over the course of a year. Half of these individuals are characterized as “repeat fallers.” The facts show the very real risk of experience a slip and fall inside the home, especially for aging individuals.
Slip and fall accidents can become a long-term medical problem for those injured, or in some cases, a lengthy battle in court for property owners. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that 22 percent of slip and fall accidents have resulted in at least 31 days of missed work. For a concerned individual or a business/property owner, it is a top priority to keep you and your employees free from hazardous conditions. It is of course advisable to try to minimize the risk of slip and fall incidents by keeping work space clear from debris and removing any possible slip and fall threats.