Common Slip and Fall Hazards
There are hazards everywhere—in businesses, on private property, and on government land. These hazards can cause people to slip and fall or trip and fall, injuring themselves in the process.
At Bundza & Rodriguez, we represent victims who have fallen through no fault of their own. Instead, some hazard caused them to slip or trip—a hazard that they were not warned about and which the property owner could have easily fixed.
Below we present some of the more common hazards that cause our clients to take a tumble.
Problems with the Floor or Ground
Pedestrians expect the floor to be level and to provide good tread. When these are missing, it is easy to lose your footing and fall. Common problems include:
- Uneven floorboards
- Cracks in the floor
- Potholes
- Worn treads
- Cables or extension cords crossing the floor
If a person is not watching carefully, they can easily slip and then come crashing down.
Foreign Substances on the Floor
When there is nothing wrong with the floor, some people might still slip or trip because of a foreign substance that is not supposed to be there. Probably the most common substance is a liquid which makes the floor slippery. People can slip whenever liquid is accidentally spilled on the floor and not cleaned up in a timely manner.
Some of our clients have fallen in:
- Grocery store aisles when a customer drops a bottle of pickles or spills some other liquid
- Fast food restaurants where soda collects on the floor around the soda machines
- Businesses where condensation has collected on the floor
Key in these cases will be whether the property owner had knowledge of the substance on the floor. If they did and still refused to clean it, then they are probably on the hook for legal compensation.
Poor Lighting
People need to be able to see where they put their feet. Poor lighting can contribute to falls, especially on stairways, where someone suffers serious injuries as they hit each step on the way down to the floor.
Poor lighting has many causes:
- Weak light bulbs
- Burned out lightbulbs that are not replaced
- Poorly placed light bulbs that do not illuminate the stairs
- Strong lights that create glare, blinding people
Property owners are responsible for providing sufficient light so that people can see where they are going.
Natural Elements
Mother nature can also make the ground dangerous. After a storm, wet leaves and tree branches can collect on the ground. A pedestrian crossing a parking lot or walking down a sidewalk could easily slip or trip if this debris is not cleaned up in a timely manner.
Water can also collect in the entrance to stores, making carpeting very slippery. If the temperatures plunge, then this water can become even slipperier.
Taken a Tumble? Contact Us Today
Pedestrians incur thousands of dollars of medical expenses when they suffer an unexpected fall. The elderly, in particular, can suffer cascading health problems. When a property owner is to blame for failing to make their property safe, you can sue for compensation.
Please contact Bundza & Rodriguez today. We are Daytona Beach slip and fall attorneys with extensive experience in this area. We can fight to obtain compensation for your medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Reach out to us today by scheduling a free consultation. You can call 386-252-5170.
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