5 Common Slipping Hazards

Slip, trip, and fall accidents occur often, and in some cases, they will lead to an injury. If an injury occurs on private property owned by a business or someone else, contact a slip and fall lawyer. Serious injuries may lead to time away from work and mounting medical expenses, and some significant injuries will prevent a person from returning to work. Here are some common slipping hazards:

1. Wet Floors

Spills from water, grease, oil, or cleaning solutions left unattended pose a risk for injury and create a liability situation. Wet floors are typical hazards that often appear in bars and restaurants with liquids on tap. Poor drainage and plumbing issues can lead to slippery puddles or flooded areas that obscure the floor. Waxed floors that haven’t properly dried out are also a common issue in workplaces. Rainwater that accumulates near buildings or in leaky areas can also be a risk, making surfaces wet and muddy.

Businesses have a responsibility to clean up spills immediately. Duty of care is the responsibility of property owners to prevent these injuries. Some businesses invest in slip-resistant flooring and mats to avoid slipping accidents. They may provide wet floor signage or train workers to prevent slips, trips, and falls. Establishing safe work practices and communicating a procedure for reporting hazards can help. People who are invited onto a property, like customers or clients, are either invitees or licensees, who both have a right to be on a property. Others, like trespassers, have fewer rights when it comes to injuries sustained on a property.

2. Untreated Icy Walkways

Black ice that forms on walkways, stairs, and parking lots is a major cause of injury. When a storm occurs, businesses must salt walkable areas, shovel, and take other preventative measures. The natural accumulation rule provides property owners with a certain reasonable amount of time to remove the snow and ice from their property after a storm. Moisture from fog will also freeze on surfaces when temperatures drop below freezing. Here are some storm situations that cause icy walkways:

• Freezing rain
• Sleet
• Snow that refreezes
• Wind-blown snow
• Fog freezes
• Areas constantly in the shade

3. Slippery Sidewalks

Slippery sidewalks or pavements are a safety hazard. If an accident takes place on a sidewalk in front of a privately owned business or home, the business owner is primarily responsible for maintaining the sidewalk to make sure it’s hazard-free. It falls under different criteria if the accident happens on a city sidewalk. These results may depend on how a court interprets an accident and where it took place. A slip and fall lawyer can provide more information about your rights and what options you have when pursuing a claim.

4. Rugs and Carpets

Unanchored rugs or carpets shift when you walk around and can cause slips or falls. Businesses have a responsibility to secure them so that they don’t slide around, potentially causing an injury. Loose floorboards or tiles that move can also be an issue. Businesses must also secure any loose mats and rugs and make sure floor coverings remain flat and secure.

Inspect and repair any loose floorboards or tiles. Cluttered walkways create more obstacles that can pose dangers to foot traffic, so adequate housekeeping is needed to make sure pathways are clear from obstructions on the floor. Slips and falls from floor obstructions can have far-reaching effects when long-term injuries occur.

5. Poor Lighting

Poorly lit areas in stairwells, hallways, and parking lots can pose a tripping hazard. To prevent slip and fall accidents, property owners should add more lighting, use bulbs with a higher wattage, and install light fixtures in any dimly lit areas. Poor lighting makes it difficult to see outdoor obstacles like potholes and indoor obstructions like sharp objects and wires.

Property owners may also opt to minimize glare and contrast, which makes it difficult to see. The slope of surfaces, such as ramps and handrails, is harder to navigate in the dark. Property owners may add guardrails for areas like raised floors, mezzanines, and balconies. Personal injuries from slipping accidents can include minor cuts, bruises, sprains, fractures, dislocations, and head injuries.

Ask a Slip and Fall Lawyer if You Have a Case

Injuries due to slip and fall accidents range from minor fractures to wrongful death. Call the Philly Slip and Fall Guys to cover medical expenses if an injury occurs on a privately owned property or business property. Property owners must remove debris, snow, and ice while routinely cleaning floors. They should also clean up spills promptly, remove clutter from walking surfaces, and use slip-resistant mats if needed. Neglecting these preventative measures may lead to slip and fall injuries. Reach out to a slip and fall law firm to learn more about your rights and what options are available after an injury takes place.