Slip and fall accidents can happen indoors or outdoors. In any situation in which there is slippery floors or unmaintained sidewalks, a visitor can slip and fall, injuring themselves. Understanding the most common causes of slip and fall accidents, as well as how you can prevent them, can help you stay safe.
Types of Slip and Fall Accidents
Generally speaking, slip and fall accidents can be categorized into two types:
- Indoor accidents
- Outdoor accidents
Both types of slip and fall cases can lead to painful injuries, including broken bones or head injuries. Both often require immediate medical treatment, as well as ongoing care. They may also prevent someone from returning to work. Additionally, in both cases, the property owner may be held liable if they knew, or should have known, about the danger to customers.
Types of Indoor Slip and Fall Accidents
With each type, the chance of serious injury is very real. Indoor injuries typically occur at some sort of commercial establishment, such as a supermarket. In many cases, these involve a foreign substance, such as a liquid, that leads to the accident.
An employee might fail to place a wet floor sign, notifying property visitors of the danger. Indoor slip and fall accidents are also common during the winter months. Visitors may track snow and ice into a building, where it will eventually melt with the building’s heat, turning into a slippery surface. Indoor injuries can also involve loose wires or broken floorboards.
Types of Outdoor Slip and Fall Accidents
Outdoor injuries, on the other hand, typically involve some type of foreign substance or defect with the flooring. For example, this type of accident could be the result of a broken step, hole, or foreign object in the area that should not be there. Note: the longer a condition is left untreated, the easier it is to hold the property owner responsible for any injuries that occur as a result.
Slippery parking lots can also be a concern during the winter months. Property owners are expected to salt roads or close them if they become too unsafe.
Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident?
Have you been injured in a slip and fall accident? If so, one of the first, and most important, things to do is to receive immediate medical attention. Along with this, collect as much information related to the accident as possible. This includes copies of your medical records, photographs of the dangerous situation, a copy of the accident report, and the contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
Then, you might consider working with a slip and fall accident lawyer. Once you contact us, we can answer all your questions and help you decide if you are in a position to file a lawsuit. You may find that you are entitled to compensation for your injuries and other damages, including, but not limited to, medical bills, lost wages, property damages, and pain and suffering.