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Key Takeaways
- Most slip and fall accidents are caused by unsafe property conditions, such as damaged or slippery floors, cluttered walkways, and poor lighting.
- Business and property owners have a legal responsibility to prevent falls on the premises. If they fail to keep their properties safe, they may be held liable.
- Slip and fall accidents often cause serious injuries that can have long-term effects on victims and their loved ones.
- An experienced slip and fall lawyer at NST Law can investigate your case, identify responsible parties, and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
When you’re shopping, eating out at a restaurant, or running errands, you don’t expect to be injured in a slip and fall accident. Unfortunately, sudden falls happen to even the most careful people, causing serious injuries that lead to physical, financial, and emotional struggles.
If you were injured after falling on someone else’s property, it may be possible to pursue compensation for the hardships you’re facing. Understanding the common causes of slip and fall accidents can help you determine whether a property owner may be legally responsible.
An experienced slip and fall attorney can explain your rights, discuss your legal options, and help you take the right steps to seek financial support for your losses. Contact NST Law for a free consultation today.
What Causes Most Slip and Fall Accidents?
Slip and fall accidents are often caused by unsafe property conditions, including slippery or damaged floors, clutter in walkways, poor lighting, or a lack of warning signs. Property owners and managers have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe premises and address known hazards within a reasonable time, and can be held liable if they fail to keep their property safe.
Here are common causes of trip and fall accidents and how they might occur:
Wet or Slippery Floors
Whether in a commercial space, an office, or a residential property, slippery or wet floors are one of the main causes of slips, trips, and falls. Examples of what might cause a slippery surface include:
- Spilled water or other liquids
- Slippery floor cleaning products
- Dropped food that is not cleaned up
- Puddles from leaks or plumbing issues
Business and property owners must maintain clean, dry floors, especially in high-traffic areas. If there are spills or slippery floors on their property, they must clean them up or block them off promptly to prevent accidents.
Weather-Related Hazards
Inclement weather is another cause of many slip and falls—particularly in areas where there is heavy rain or harsh winters. Here’s how the weather might lead to someone falling and being injured:
- Slippery ice on the sidewalk or in walkways
- Rainwater tracked onto the floor due to no mats at the entryways
- Snow that blocks walking paths or entrances
In most cases, property owners have a legal responsibility to clear ice and snow or lay salt to prevent accidents. When they do not take reasonable steps to remove weather-related hazards, injured victims may have grounds to file a premises liability lawsuit. Even if the injured person shares some fault for what happened, they may still be entitled to partial compensation.
Uneven Surfaces
Many people who are injured in a slip and fall accident may have tripped on damaged or uneven surfaces, such as:
- Cracked sidewalks or walkways
- Loose floor tiles
- Torn or damaged carpeting
- Broken stairs or ramps
- Holes in the flooring
Property owners must repair damaged surfaces in a timely manner to avoid liability for accidents, even if the owners are the city, state, or a government agency.
Clutter or Obstacles in Walkways
Another common reason for falls is unexpected clutter or debris in walkways. These obstacles are often items or products left in aisles or walkways, including:
- Boxes of unshelved products
- Cords sticking out of the wall
- Cleaning supplies
- Mess left by employees or other customers
To prevent trips and falls, owners and managers must keep walkways clear and safe or warn of potential hazards.
Poor Lighting
Poor lighting can make it harder to spot unsafe conditions that may lead to a fall—particularly in stairwells, hallways, and parking lots. If you tripped on an uneven surface or fell on a slippery floor that you would have noticed had there been adequate lighting, you may have a qualifying premises liability case.
Lack of Warning Signs or Barriers
While property owners are expected to clean up spills or fix damaged flooring to prevent slip and fall accidents, it’s not always reasonable to do it right away. In these cases, owners or managers must mark the hazard with warning signs and block off the area to protect visitors, employees, or residents.
Without clear signage or barriers to prevent access to the dangerous area, property owners may be considered negligent.
Broken or Missing Handrails on Stairs
Many people use handrails when walking up and down stairs. When the handrail is damaged or missing, people are much more likely to trip or skip a step and fall. Unfortunately, falling down stairs can lead to serious injuries and long-term consequences.
Property owners must regularly inspect and maintain handrails to prevent accidents and provide a safe environment for everyone.
What Are the Most Common Slip and Fall Injuries?
Depending on the type of fall and how a person lands, a slip and fall accident can result in different injuries, including:
- Head injuries: If a person hits their head when falling, they may suffer from a concussion, head contusion, or other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Spinal cord injuries: Injuries to the spinal cord can lead to nerve damage, issues with mobility, and even paralysis.
- Broken bones: Bone fractures are common after falls, especially broken wrists, arms, ribs, hips, and legs.
- Soft tissue injuries: Pulled muscles, strains, sprains, and bruising often occur from the impact of the fall.
After being injured in a fall caused by someone else’s negligence, it’s possible to seek financial relief for your losses. At NST Law, we offer free, no-obligation case reviews to discuss your situation and determine whether you have a valid case. We’ll explain your rights and what you can expect if you decide to work with our team.
Learn More About Slip and Fall Accidents From Our Legal Team at NST Law
At NST Law, we have over 35 years of experience representing injured individuals across the Mid-South. With 175 lawyers and staff and billions won in settlements and verdicts, we bring the resources, preparation, and determination needed to take on insurance companies and property owners who fail to keep people safe.
We prepare every premises liability case as if it will go to trial. That approach strengthens settlement negotiations and ensures insurers understand we are serious about pursuing maximum compensation.
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, contact NST Law today at 800-529-4004 or schedule a free consultation online. We are passionate about serving our clients and committed to leveling the playing field for injured individuals.
