All the Slip & Fall Hazards You See Each Day

Slip and fall accidents are among the most common types of accidents, which is not exactly surprising. Practically everywhere you go in your day-to-day life, you are probably going to encounter some sort of slip or trip and fall hazard. Many of these hazards go unnoticed until they cause an accident, but they are still there and need to be addressed by proprietors in a timely manner.

7 of the most common yet dangerous slip and fall hazards you probably see each day are:

1. Lifted carpets: Carpets and rugs are common trip hazards because they are all over the place and easy to miss. You are so used to walking on carpets without any issue that you probably wouldn’t notice if the edge of one is lifted. If your toe catches on the lifted edge, then you could take a terrible tumble.
2. Wet tile floors: Most retail stores use tile floors throughout the aisles because tile is easy to clean and maintain. However, if there is even a small amount of liquid on the ground, then the tile will create a serious slip hazard that needs to be cleaned up right away. Negligent retail store management and staff might allow the hazard to persist for a while, though.
3. Cracked sidewalks: Damage to a sidewalk can cause cracks, crevasses, and splits that don’t look like a big deal but that can actually create dangerous trip hazards. Sidewalks are often neglected by property owners because the city or municipality is in charge of repairing them. But proprietors should still report any damage to the city and make a reasonable attempt to protect visitors from the sidewalk hazard.
4. Unkempt cables: If you work in an office setting, then the chances of you encountering some unkempt cables are high, especially if your office uses cubicles. Wires and cables are linked to every computer workstation and outlet. Employers need to make sure that cable concealers and organizers are used correctly to minimize the risk of someone tripping on a cable.
5. Missing handrails: To prevent people from tripping and slipping on stairs, handrails should be installed along any steps or sloping pathways. When handrails are not installed, everyone who uses the steps or pathway could be at risk of falling, even if they are in good health.
6. Dimly lit walkways: Poorly lit walkways, hallways, and corridors put everyone at risk of tripping or slipping while walking along them, especially when in a store. All proprietors – residential or commercial – should ensure that all walkways in their buildings are lit properly.
7. Stray debris: You never know when loose odds and ends are going to end up on the floor of where you are walking. In a friend’s home, there could be toys, dust, and other stuff that could make you trip. In a store, there could be trash, products, and so on.

Who Should Pay for a Slip & Fall Accident?

Each property owner or proprietor has a duty to protect visitors from harm and hazards, like slip or trip and fall hazards. If they do not make a reasonable attempt to clear hazards and warn visitors of them, then they can be sued through a premises liability case. The injured visitor can file a claim that demands payment for related economic and non-economic damages. An attorney can be consulted to help them, too.

Did you slip and fall on a hazard while visiting someone else’s property in Los Angeles? BD&J, PC can help you bring a claim against them to pursue fair compensation. Contact us now to learn more.