Verizon Phone Store Thieves End Up In A Slip And Fall Accident

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, and at any time, even when you’re a thief, as evidenced by two suspects who ended up on the floor shortly after they tried to steal a Verizon phone store in Philadelphia on January 3, 2017, at 322 South Street. According to reports, the men slipped and fell as they were attempting to flee the store.

Following their fall, they quickly got up and ran away from the scene. However, they may very well have suffered from significant personal injuries, proving once and for all that crime absolutely has no benefits. The incident, captured on the security camera of a Verizon store in January 2017, shows the men attempting to steal phones from different shelves around the store, before suffering from the ill-fated slip and falls in almost identical fashion.

What Leads To This Type Of Verizon Store Fall?

Slip and fall accidents don’t have a particular window that they fall under. In fact, it’s impossible to predict when, where and why they can occur. Philadelphia dwellers must realize that situations could arise in any instance, but it could be triggered by poor weather conditions especially in winters when snow and ice accumulate on the sidewalks and streets, while water puddles pile up inside retail stores and commercial properties. When you enter any commercial or residential property, you must be cautious since floors can be slick and greasy.

Slip and fall accident lawsuits are built on the basis of premises liability, where a person slips and falls on another person’s property, whether commercial or residential. If a situation of negligence can be proven on the part of the property owner, then a lawsuit may be filed and damages may be afforded to the victim of the accident.

Taking The Potential For Falls Seriously

Slip and fall accidents are more serious than people think. Fall accidents result in nearly 8 million visits to the emergency room every year and are the highest cause of visits at 21.3 percent. Statistics reveal that 5 percent of people who suffer from slip and fall injuries have to deal with fractures as a serious consequence of their accident. Both property owners and visitors must take slip and fall accidents seriously. People walking in commercial stores should follow certain tips to decrease their risks of slip and fall accidents:

Choose Footwear Sensibly

People who walk into stores and commercial properties during winters and summers should look for footwear with proper grips that can withstand all kinds of walking conditions, whether wet, icy or warm. We’ve written about choosing the correct footwear here.

Pay Attention To Your Steps

While the thieves of the Verizon store were obviously in a hurry to get away (which naturally resulted in the slip and fall accident), you should pay close attention to your footsteps to avoid any potential injuries. Do not attempt to walk in a hurry and look around to witness your surroundings. Look for issues like ice, sleet, and wet areas that could trigger slip and fall accidents more easily than others.

Utilize Flashlights Where Necessary

While property owners are typically responsible for ensuring adequate lighting in commercial areas, sometimes negligence occurs. You don’t want to be caught in a situation where someone else’s negligence causes you to fall, so utilize flashlights where necessary to prevent any tripping hazards that may occur. You can significantly reduce your own slip and fall risks by lighting up the area around you with a flashlight or the torch on your mobile phone.

Slip and fall accidents are not cheap. In fact, they can put people thousands of dollars out of pocket, which is significantly high. Apart from the cost of recovery, people also have to deal with ongoing medical requirements like physiotherapy and medical prescriptions, which can take a financial toll.

Depending on your personal situation, you may be eligible to file a claim for a slip and fall accident, but you will need to prove negligence on the part of the property owner. In the case of the Verizon phone store thieves, claiming a slip and fall accident is not going to work because they were already trespassing.