Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Slipping and falling can lead to serious, sometimes permanent injuries. In many cases, the person or business that owns or manages the property where you fell is legally responsible for preventing slip and fall accidents. If they failed to meet their duty to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition, they could be liable for causing your injuries. The personal injury lawyers at McKinney Vos can evaluate your situation, explain your rights, and help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Common Causes of Slips, Trips, and Falls

Slip and fall accidents are a common cause of injury. They result in millions of emergency room visits every year. A slip and fall accident can happen almost anywhere: at work, in a private home, at a business, or on a public street. Here are some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents.

Wet or Slippery Surfaces

Wet or slippery surfaces are among the most common causes of slip and fall accidents. These hazards can be caused by wet floors or puddles of liquid, such as spilled liquid or food in a grocery store.

Uneven or Raised Surfaces

Uneven or raised surfaces are another common cause of slip and fall accidents. Examples include potholes in a parking lot, an uneven sidewalk, trash or debris on the floor, or transitions from one surface to another, such as from carpet to wood.

Poor Lighting

Poor lighting is another common cause of slip and fall accidents. If you cannot see where you are walking, you are more likely to trip and fall.

Exposed Wiring

Exposed wiring, such as cords running across a walkway, is another common cause of trip and fall accidents.

Loose Mats or Rugs

Bunched-up rugs or curled floor mats are another common cause of trip and fall accidents. These uneven surfaces are a tripping hazard that can cause a trip and fall accident.

Stairs

Stairs are another common cause of trip and fall accidents. Loose or missing handrails, loose steps, or inadequate lighting can cause trip and fall accidents.

Where Slip and Fall Accidents Commonly Happen

Slips, trips, and falls can happen anywhere: in the workplace, crossing the street, in a private residence, or at other locations we regularly frequent, such as:

• Restaurants
• Grocery stores
• Shopping centers
• Parking garages
• Apartment complexes
• Amusement parks
• Swimming pools
• Nursing homes or assisted living facilities
• Sports facilities
• Theaters
• Hospitals and other medical treatment facilities

Common Injuries Suffered in a Slip and Fall Accident

Regardless of the cause, falling and striking the ground can result in severe injuries, such as:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Head and neck injuries
• Concussions
• Knee and ankle injuries
• Bruising
• Cuts and lacerations
• Wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries
• Soft tissue damage

Proving Negligence in a Slip and Fall Accident

When a slip and fall accident causes injuries, you should consider contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer. The slip and fall injury lawyers at McKinney Vos offer a free, confidential consultation to discuss your situation and can provide a preliminary assessment of your case and your likelihood of success.

To win your slip and fall case, you must prove:

1. The property owner had a duty to keep the premises reasonably safe;
2. The property owner violated that duty; and
3. You were injured as a result.

Establishing the Duty of Care

Property owners owe visitors a different duty of care depending on why the guest was on their property.

• An invitee is someone on the property with the explicit or implicit permission of the owner. A property owner has a duty of ordinary care to protect the safety of an invitee.
• A licensee is on the property with the express or implied permission of the owner but is there for their own benefit. A property owner can be liable for reckless or willful behavior that injures a licensee.
• A trespasser comes onto the property without the owner’s permission. Property owners owe a limited duty to trespassers and are only liable for willfully, recklessly, or wantonly causing harm.

Proving a Violation

Holding a property owner liable for your injuries can be challenging, and defense lawyers will raise various theories to try to shield their clients from liability. Our personal injury lawyers can overcome these defenses by showing the judge there is a genuine question as to whether the property owner took reasonable measures to ensure your safety.

Proving a property owner violated their duty of care often requires proof that the property owner knew or should have known of a dangerous condition on their property and failed to address it. Your lawyer may present witness testimony about how long the hazard existed, evidence of prior accidents, or video surveillance to show the property owner knew or should have known of the hazard.

Causation and Damages

Finally, your lawyer must prove that the property owner’s negligence caused your injuries. This is often accomplished through medical documentation and expert testimony from your medical provider as to the cause and extent of your injuries.

When a Slip and Fall Accident Causes Injuries, Contact McKinney Vos

Slips, trips, and falls can happen almost anywhere and can be caused by a variety of factors. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, you might be entitled to compensation. We encourage you to contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights.