3 of the most common causes of public slip-and-fall injuries

On Behalf of | Sep 9, 2022 | Premises Liability |

You could get hurt anytime you go somewhere in public, but there are certain scenarios that have more risk than others. For example, you could potentially experience a slip-and-fall while visiting your sister at her new apartment or while stopping at the craft store to pick up some plastic canvas.

Factors ranging from the lighting to the shoes that you have on at the time that you fall can influence the likelihood of a slip-and-fall and also the kind of injuries you might experience. However, there are certain specific situations that are more likely than others to lead to slip-and-fall situations. What are the most common causes of such incidents at businesses in public buildings?

Poorly-maintained floors

Floor surfaces require appropriate coverings and consistent cleaning to be safe for public access. Businesses can drastically increase the likelihood of someone slipping and falling during a visit when they don’t replace how old linoleum that has started peeling up or carpet that has torn.

Overpolishing tiles could also lead to people slipping. Rainwater tracked in on shoes and spilled products on the floor that don’t get cleaned up quickly because of inadequate staff levels can also cause people to slip.

Stairway trip-and-falls

Stairs are always a fall hazard, especially when landlords or business owners don’t make their continued maintenance a priority. Burned-out lights, peeling flooring and absent handrails are all among the maintenance issues that can make stairways a very dangerous environment for individual visitors.

Unsecured rugs and power cords

Businesses often place thick and absorbent mats by the front door to help people clean off their shoes when they enter. If those mats don’t remain clean and anchored in place, they can become a tripping hazard. The power supply to open signs, refrigeration units and electronic displays are all also tripping hazards that could lead to people getting hurt.

Especially when a business routinely ignores risk factors that most people recognize, someone hurt in a slip-and-fall incident could file a premises liability claim or even a personal injury lawsuit. Such claims can replace any wages you lost and cover any medical expenses you incurred because you fell. Evaluating the situation where you got hurt for signs of negligence can help you decide if filing a personal injury claim is the right solution.