Slip, Trip, or Fall Chris Stolmeier
San Antonio Slip and Fall Lawyers
Common Slip and Fall Causes
Millions of people every year suffer injuries in Slip, Trip, or Fall accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Slip, Trip, or Fall accidents are the #1 cause of nonfatal emergency department visits in the United States. Additionally, the CDC reports Slip, Trip, or Falls are the #3 cause of unintentional fatalities in the United States. Because Slip, Trip, or Falls significantly affect every age group, it is important to understand the most common Slip and Fall causes.Â
- Slippery Surfaces
The most common of Slip and Fall causes are slippery surfaces. Slippery surfaces pose an immediate risk to everyone who is on an owner’s property. Slippery surfaces are so dangerous because they can be present practically anywhere on an owner’s property. As a result, many Slip, Trip, or Fall accident victims may suffer severe injuries due to a slippery substance not foreseen by a customers, visitors, or tenants. Freshly mopped floors, spills, grease, oil, water, etc. can cause slippery surfaces.
- Uneven Surfaces
Similar to slippery surfaces, uneven surfaces are one of the main Slip and Fall causes. Uneven Surface falls are separated into “same level falls†and “falls from elevationâ€. “Same level falls†occur when a victim falls onto the same level surface they were on prior to the fall. “Same level falls†account for approximately 60% of all fall cases. “Falls from elevation†occur when a victim falls onto a lower level than the level they were on prior to the fall. “Falls from elevation†account for approximately 40% of all fall cases. Uneven surfaces, which cause “same level falls†and “falls from elevationâ€, may be a result of loose floorboards or steps, damaged carpeting, sidewalk or parking lot defects, cluttered floors, difficult to identify level transitions, etc.
- Poor Lighting
Poor lighting may be a cause or significant contributing factor to Slip, Trip, or Fall accidents. But typically, poor lighting is a contributing Slip and Fall cause, rather than the direct cause. Poor lighting can contribute to your personal injuries because poor lighting makes it less likely that you will be able to identify a dangerous hazard or warning sign. Just as property owners are responsible for keeping their property clear of dangerous hazards, property owners are also responsible for providing adequate lighting. Every area of a property the owner owns, controls, and/or maintains should have adequate lighting. These areas can include but are not limited to the main building, offices, stairwells, elevators, restrooms, sidewalks, and parking lots.
- Weather
Rain, snow, and ice can be a common Slip and Fall cause. Property owners are responsible for not only keeping the interior of their property clear of dangerous hazards, but they are also responsible for the exterior of their property. When it rains property owners must be extra cautious to identify and remedy dangerous hazards. Customers, visitors, and tenants are likely to track water into the property owner’s building during rainy conditions creating dangerous hazards to themselves and others. A property owner must take reasonable steps to ensure these dangerous hazards are remedy or people are adequately warned. While it is uncommon for San Antonio and South Texas to receive snowy or icy weather, property owners are still responsible to remedy or warn people of these weather occurrences. Because ice and snow are uncommon in San Antonio and South Texas, property owners may be unprepared to handle these dangerous conditions, and as a result, customers, visitors, and tenants may be at a greater risk of suffering a Slip, Trip, or Fall accident.Â
- Footwear
Improper footwear can also be common Slip and Fall causes. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, improper footwear is a cause for 24% of all Slip, Trip, or Fall accidents. If you suffer injuries from a Slip, Trip, or Fall accident the property owner may claim he or she is not responsible because your improper footwear caused your injuries. This can be a strong and successful defense for the property owner if you do not have an experienced lawyer on your side. Find out how your own negligence can affect your personal injury claim.
Contact Stolmeier Law, San Antonio Slip and Fall Lawyers
We are San Antonio Slip and Fall lawyers. Stolmeier Law has over 35 years of experience helping Slip, Trip, or Fall victims in San Antonio and South Texas. We are dedicated to personally representing you and maximizing your compensation. If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a Slip and Fall, contact Stolmeier Law, San Antonio Slip and Fall lawyers. Slip, Trip, or Fall, Call Stolmeier Law.