How Common Are Slip and Falls?

A slip and fall accident occurs when a person slips, trips, or falls because of a dangerous or hazardous condition on another person’s property. These accidents can happen anywhere, but they are most common in places like grocery stores, restaurants, and other public places where there is a lot of foot traffic.

There are many different ways that slip and fall accidents can happen. Some common examples include:

• Slippery floors
• Wet or icy surfaces
• Uneven or cracked sidewalks
• Loose carpeting or rugs
• Poorly lit stairwells
• Debris or obstacles in walkways

Slip and fall accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, including:

Head injuries: Head injuries are among the most serious types of injuries that can occur in a slip and fall accident. If you suffer a head injury, it's important to seek medical attention immediately. Head injuries can range from concussions to skull fractures and can often lead to long-term health problems.

Back injuries: Back injuries are also common in slip and fall accidents. While some back injuries may only result in pain and discomfort, others can be more serious, such as herniated discs or spinal cord damage. If you experience back pain after a fall, it's important to see a doctor so that you can get the treatment you need.

Broken bones and fractures: Broken bones and fractures are also common in slip and fall accidents. Depending on the severity of the fracture or break, you may need to have surgery to repair the bone. In some cases, broken bones can lead to long-term disability.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be wondering how common these types of accidents are in the United States. Unfortunately, they’re quite common. In some industries, slip and fall accidents are more common.

Construction Workers

Construction workers are at a higher risk for slip and fall accidents because they often work on slippery surfaces. They may be required to work on scaffolding or roofs, which can be dangerous if they are not properly trained. If a worker slips or trips over something from this height, the results can be catastrophic. In addition, construction sites are often full of obstacles that can trip workers, such as wires, tools, and debris.

Healthcare Workers

Healthcare workers are also at a higher risk for slip and fall accidents. This is because they often have to walk on slippery floors, such as tile or linoleum. They may also have to lift patients who are unable to walk on their own. This can put strain on their back and legs, which can lead to slips and falls.

Transportation Workers

Transportation workers are at a higher risk for slip and fall accidents because they often have to walk on slippery surfaces. They may also have to lift heavy objects, such as bags or luggage. In addition, transportation workers may be exposed to fumes from gasoline or diesel fuel, which can cause them to become disoriented and trip or slip.

A slip and fall accident can happen anywhere, at any time. You could be walking through a parking lot and slip on a puddle of water, or you could be walking down the stairs in your apartment complex and trip on a loose carpet. If you are injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be wondering who can be held liable. The answer depends on the circumstances of your accident.

The Property Owner

If you were injured while on another person’s property, then the property owner may be held liable if they were aware of the dangerous condition that caused your accident and did not take steps to fix it. For example, if there was a spill in a grocery store aisle and the employees knew about it but did not clean it up, the store could be held liable if you slipped and fell in that aisle.

The Property Manager

If you live in an apartment complex or rental home, the property manager may be held liable for your injuries if they were aware of the dangerous condition that caused your accident and did not take steps to fix it. For example, if there was a loose carpet on the stairs and the property manager knew about it but did not fix it, they could be held liable if you tripped and fell down those stairs.

The Person Who Caused the Hazard

In some cases, the person who caused the hazard may be held liable for your injuries. For example, if someone spills their drink on the floor and you slip and fall in that puddle of liquid, that person may be held liable for your injuries.

In general, there are two types of damages that can be awarded in a personal injury case: economic damages and noneconomic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are those that have a specific monetary value, such as medical bills and lost wages. If you've been injured in a slip and fall, you may be able to recover the following economic damages:

Medical expenses: This includes hospitalization costs, surgery costs, costs for follow-up care, prescription costs, and more.
Lost wages: If your injuries have prevented you from working or have caused you to miss work, you may be able to recover lost wages.
Loss of earning capacity: If your injuries have caused a long-term or permanent disability, you may be able to recover loss of earning capacity damages. This is different from lost wages in that it compensates you for future earnings that you would have earned had you not been injured – even if you can still work. It’s the difference between what you were able to make before the injury and what you can earn after the injury.
Property damage: If any of your personal belongings were damaged in the accident, you may be able to recover property damage damages.

Noneconomic Damages

Noneconomic damages are more difficult to quantify than economic damages, but they can often be much greater in value. Noneconomic damages may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and loss of enjoyment of life. The amount of noneconomic damages that can be awarded will depend on the severity of your injuries as well as the state in which you live—some states place limits on the amount of noneconomic damages that can be awarded in a personal injury case.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are available in some states and are only awarded in cases where the defendant’s actions were particularly heinous or egregious. For example, if the property owner had been warned multiple times about the dangerous condition and people had been injured in the past but still failed to take action to fix it, punitive damages might be appropriate. The purpose of punitive damage is not to compensate the victim but rather to punish the defendant and deter others from engaging in similar behavior.

The amount of punitive damages that may be awarded will depend on a number of factors, including the severity of the plaintiff's injuries, the defendant's wealth, and the egregiousness of the defendant's misconduct.

Slip and falls are common, especially in the winter.  If you're injured in a slip and fall accident, know your legal rights.  Slip and fall accidents can cause serious injuries, including head trauma, fractures, and spinal cord damage. Victims of these accidents may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the property owner or business where the accident occurred. The attorneys at Morgan & Morgan can help you learn more about your legal options if you've been injured in a slip and fall accident. We’ve recovered billions of dollars for our clients, with a significant amount coming from slip and fall accidents.

Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation to get started.