It doesn’t matter if you’re walking in a grocery store, shopping mall, office building or casino, there’s always a possibility of a slip-and-fall accident.
While there is no guaranteed way to prevent slip-and-fall accidents, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk. One of the best things you can do is understand the most common causes. Here are four to be aware of:
- Wet surfaces: For example, if a spill in a grocery store is not immediately addressed it could result in a slip-and-fall. Just the same, floors are often slick after a recent cleaning, such as in an office building or casino.
- Defective sidewalks: This can include, but is not limited, to cracks, holes and uneven surfaces. Even a minor defect, such as a slight change in elevation, puts you at risk.
- Torn or bulging carpeting: Carpeting doesn’t last forever. When it begins to wear down, it increases the risk of a slip-and-fall.
- Stairwell defects: Common examples include missing or loose handrails, sloped steps and missing steps.
Even if you make a conscious effort to watch every step you take, you will at some point likely lose track of what you’re doing and go back to your normal ways.
If you’re injured in a slip-and-fall accident, don’t attempt to get up and leave the scene. Instead, stay where you are until help arrives. It’s critical to not only receive immediate medical treatment, but to also make note of what happened and collect evidence to back up your claim. This can help you receive compensation for your injuries.
