A person can lose balance in an instant. Sometimes the cause is obvious, such as a patch of ice or a large object on the floor. In other situations, the condition that caused the fall is difficult to recognize until after the accident.
Understanding common slip-and-fall hazards can help property owners, businesses, employees, and visitors identify conditions that deserve attention. If you have been injured in a fall caused by a hazardous condition, a slip and fall lawyer can help you understand your rights and determine whether you may have a claim.
Wet and Slippery Floors
Water and other liquids are among the most familiar slipping hazards.
A spill in a grocery store, water tracked into a building during rain, a leaking appliance, or a recently cleaned floor can reduce traction.
The presence of liquid alone does not determine legal responsibility for a fall. Questions may include how the condition developed, how long it existed, what inspections occurred, and whether reasonable steps were taken to address it.
The legal standards governing property conditions differ among jurisdictions.
Uneven Walking Surfaces
Not every fall involves slipping. People can also trip when one portion of a walking surface is higher or lower than another.
Cracked pavement, broken flooring, uneven sidewalk sections, damaged tiles, and abrupt changes in elevation can interfere with a person’s normal walking pattern.
Lighting and visibility can affect how easily these conditions are noticed.
Loose Rugs and Mats
Floor mats serve useful purposes, particularly near entrances where they can absorb water and debris. A mat that curls, folds, bunches, or slides, however, may create a tripping hazard.
Rugs and mats should generally lie securely and be positioned so that pedestrians can walk across them normally.
Clutter and Objects in Walkways
Boxes, electrical cords, merchandise, equipment, and other objects can create hazards when left in areas intended for walking.
Busy workplaces and stores may change constantly as deliveries arrive, displays are rearranged, and employees perform routine tasks.
Regular attention to pedestrian pathways can help identify obstructions before someone encounters them unexpectedly.
Stairs and Handrails
Stairways require careful design and maintenance because a loss of balance on a staircase can lead to a significant fall.
Potential concerns may include damaged steps, inconsistent stair dimensions, loose materials, poor lighting, missing or unstable handrails, and objects left on stairs.
Building and safety requirements vary by jurisdiction and by the type and age of the property.
Snow and Ice
Winter conditions create another category of hazards.
Snow may conceal changes in elevation or other defects. Ice can form from precipitation, melting and refreezing, drainage problems, or water that accumulates in pedestrian areas.
Responsibilities for snow and ice maintenance differ depending on location, property type, contracts, and local law.
Poor Lighting
Lighting may not physically cause a defect, but inadequate visibility can make an otherwise avoidable condition difficult to see.
Stairwells, parking garages, hallways, exterior walkways, and building entrances may become more difficult to navigate when lighting is insufficient.
Photographs taken after a fall can be useful, although a camera may not always reproduce lighting conditions exactly as they appeared to the human eye.
Damaged or Missing Safety Features
Certain areas are designed with features intended to reduce the risk of falls.
Handrails, guardrails, non-slip surfaces, warning markings, and other safety measures may be important depending on the location.
If one of these features becomes loose, damaged, or absent, the condition may deserve prompt attention.
Why Identifying the Cause Matters
After a fall, people sometimes remember only that they suddenly found themselves on the ground.
If possible, it can be helpful to determine exactly what caused the foot to slip, catch, or stop. Photographs of the precise location may preserve information that disappears quickly.
Our friends at Isaacson, Schiowitz & Korson, LLP emphasize that the cause of a fall matters because an injury by itself does not explain why an accident occurred.
The Bottom Line
Slip-and-fall accidents can result from many different conditions, from temporary spills to long-standing structural problems.
Regular inspections, prompt maintenance, adequate lighting, and clear walking paths can help reduce preventable hazards. After an accident, identifying and documenting the specific condition involved can also provide a much clearer understanding of what happened.
