Slips, trips and falls occur due to several reasons. They are a common cause of injuries in the workplace but aren’t only limited to the work environment. Slips, trips, and falls can also happen in public spaces and even at home.
When they occur due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries. Besides financial costs, slips, trips and falls injuries also involve emotional and physical costs, affecting your wellbeing.
The good news is that it’s possible to prevent them. This article discusses the most common causes of slips, trips and fall accidents, what to do if you’re a victim and provides tips on avoiding these incidents.
What leads to slips, trips and falls?
When it comes to the workplace, slips, trips, and falls can occur anywhere, from the building’s entrance to the loading docks and even as you get outside the building. However, you can also sustain a slip, trip and fall injury in other environments, such as in a public or domestic place. Here are the most common reasons why these incidents occur.
Uneven and wet surfaces
Slips, trips and falls often happen due to uneven and wet surfaces. Walking can be dangerous when it involves factors like:
- Defective sidewalks;
- Moisture collection;
- Cluttered floors;
- Torn carpeting;
- Loose mats;
- Poorly constructed staircases.
These situations are common in commercial, industrial, domestic and public places. It’s everyone’s responsibility to implement safety measures and prevent these hazards. There are easy ways to do this, such as keeping the floors uncluttered, performing regular checks, and good housekeeping practices. Supposing a threat is noticed, fixing it as soon as possible is critical.
Weather conditions
Unfortunately, the weather is a factor you can’t control. However, more often than not, weather leads to numerous slip and fall accidents. They occur particularly during winter; therefore, it’s vital to take safety measures during that season. However, wintery weather isn’t the only one that poses threats.
Property owners and municipalities are legally responsible for shovelling sidewalks, salting walkways and ploughing streets. Local councils must ensure public members are safe, as someone can be seriously harmed if they breach their duty of care. People who suffer injuries in council-controlled places, such as local roads, public streets or parks, can make a claim against the council in the UK.
Footwear
Slips and falls can also occur due to improper footwear. This doesn’t mean you are at risk only if you wear heels – work boots and sneakers can also be dangerous. Shoes that don’t provide adequate traction pose a significant threat, leading to slips and falls, not only in the workplace but also in public or at home.
Footwear should always be comfortable and suitable for the work environment. Plus, it’s imperative to check it periodically to ensure treads aren’t clogged with contaminants or worn away.
Environmental conditions like lightning
Extreme environmental conditions can also lead to slips, trips and falls. Extreme cold and heat can impact someone recognizing slip or trip dangers in their path. The same occurs due to poor lighting and distractions like unexpected or unfamiliar loud noises.
Therefore, ensuring adequate light levels is imperative, as it can help prevent slip and trip hazards. Plus, minimising distractions as much as possible is also critical.
I had a slip, trip and fall accident. What should I do?
More often than not, people who have a slip, trip and fall accident feel embarrassed. However, safety experts say that clumsiness isn’t likely to cause your slip, trip and fall injury. Most injuries occur due to external circumstances rather than the individual’s fault.
Whether the fall happens in retail establishments, private residences, or public properties, people often assume the conditions are safe enough for them and don’t expect to get harmed. And this is normal since it’s a vital legal principle to ensure safety standards are met.
Even if you are careful, you may still walk into a situation where a slip, trip and fall injury is unavoidable. If this scenario comes true and you sustain injuries, there are some steps you need to take to protect your legal rights and health.
Ask for help
It’s common for slips, trips and fall accident victims to get up and walk away as if nothing happened, even if they are in pain. However, this isn’t recommended since you may have suffered severe injuries. It’s imperative to stay where you are and ask for assistance right away.
If you can stand up safely, it’s still crucial to do it slowly. Also, you should not leave the scene.
Seek medical attention
Some injuries become visible only after a while. Therefore, it’s imperative to seek medical attention right away so that a medical expert can properly document your injuries.
This isn’t only imperative for your health – it can also serve as evidence supposing you decide to claim compensation for the slip, trip and fall accident.
Document the incident
Your priority should always be to get medical attention as soon as possible. However, it’s also crucial to document the incident. Get potential witnesses’ names and contact details, as their statements can be very helpful if you seek compensation.
Moreover, you should also take pictures of the location where the incident occurred. You should focus on photographing the conditions that led to your accident, such as icy patches or stairs. Also, make sure to include other relevant details, such as what you were doing at the time of the accident, how you fell, etc.
Contact an attorney
If you were involved in a slip, trip and fall accident, you must learn your legal rights. An experienced legal professional can determine whether you are eligible for compensation and support you in the process.
Slip, trip and falls accident cases are often complex and challenging to prove, so you’ll do better with a personal injury lawyer by your side. They have the knowledge and resources to help you succeed with your claim. Thus, as soon as your injuries are treated, make sure to get in touch with a reliable legal expert.