When you think about slip-and-fall accidents, do you imagine someone slipping on a wet floor? What about falling down the stairs?
These are certainly common accidents, but do you know why they happen? Usually, the underlying cause of any slip-and-fall accident can be attributed to:
- Wet and uneven surfaces
- Poor weather conditions
- Distractions
- Rushing
Normally, when you fall because someone has not kept a premises safe, you can make a claim for compensation. For example, if there is no railing on a staircase and you fall down, you may be able to hold the property owner responsible.
The most common cause of falls: Wet and uneven surfaces
You should know that the main causes of falls are wet and uneven surfaces, like wet staircases, wet floors, uneven flooring or uneven ground. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, approximately 55% of all falls happen because of these conditions.
Since wet and uneven conditions are so common, it’s possible to fall almost anywhere. However, property owners should be looking for hazardous areas and letting people know about the risks. They should also take steps to minimize the risk to others. For instance, a wooden staircase may become slippery when wet, but adding tread could help prevent people from falling. So could adding a strong railing.
If negligence occurs, such as if the premises is left to deteriorate. You may be able to seek compensation for any fall that you suffer an injury from. For example, if a piece of tread stuck up on the stair, caught your shoe and caused you to slip or trip, you could ask the property owner to compensate you.
You have rights when you fall on someone’s property
Whether you fall on a business’s property or know the person who owns it personally, you can make a claim if you fall and get hurt due to a hazard. If the fall was linked to a hazard that the owner should have known about or is a result of negligence, then you may be able to make a case against the owner for fair compensation as you focus on healing.