What Are the Most Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents?
Falls are the most common cause of emergency room visits in the United States, according to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), accounting for nearly 8 million visits per year. A slip and fall can happen anywhere, whether you’re at the grocery store or in the middle of a parking lot, and these accidents often cause serious injury.
Were you injured in a slip and fall accident? Was this accident caused by another party’s negligence? If so, don’t hesitate to contact a Virginia slip and fall attorney at The Law Office of Steven D. Barnette, P.C. today. We have helped numerous clients secure the compensation they need following a slip and fall injury. Let us put our knowledge and experience to work for you.
Call one of our four conveniently-located offices today for a free consultation with a Virginia slip and fall lawyer. We’ll be ready to discuss the specifics of your case and your legal options.
Common Causes of Slip and Falls
Slip and fall accidents are incredibly common. They are the primary cause of missed days at work, and the cause of half of all accidental deaths at home, according to NFSI. Some of the more common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Uneven ground or flooring – Uneven floors and flooring materials contribute to over 2 million slip and fall injuries a year. This may include cluttered floors, loose rugs or carpeting, potholes, or loose floorboards.
- Wet and slippery surfaces – Wet and slippery surfaces are a leading cause of slip and falls. This might take the form of a freshly waxed floor, an icy walkway, or a spilled drink.
- Unsafe stairs or ladders – Missing handrails, broken steps, or ladders that haven’t been maintained can easily lead to a slip and fall injury.
- Poor lighting – When an individual can’t see the path ahead, they may trip over a step or an object in their path.
- Cluttered and obstructed walkways – When a cord is extended across a walking area, or when products are strewn across a shopping aisle, a person may trip and fall.
- Nursing home neglect – The elder population is particularly susceptible to slip and fall accidents since they experience a loss of strength and balance as they age. Slip and fall accidents are often the result of neglect at nursing home facilities as they are often entirely preventable with training and proper care.
Who Might Be Liable for a Slip and Fall Accident?
Slip and fall accidents usually fall under the category of premises liability law. Premises liability law deals with the responsibility property owners and managers have to protect visitors from hazards on their premises. When a property owner fails to address a hazard that they knew or should have known about, or failed to warn visitors about that hazard, they may be considered negligent and responsible for the injuries a visitor suffers as a result.
Depending on the circumstances, any of the following parties could be responsible for a slip and fall injury:
- Property management companies
- Property owners
- Landlords
- Business owners
- Business employees
- Maintenance companies
- Government entities
Compensation for a Slip and Fall Accident
When you suffer an injury as a result of someone’s negligence, you can pursue compensation for the different types of losses you sustain as a result. These losses are referred to as “damages” in the eyes o the law. Some damages are material in nature and have a specific monetary value, such as lost wages or property damage. Other losses are subjective, such as pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment.
In a slip and fall case, you may be able to seek compensation for damages such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Lost quality of life
How Our Attorneys Can Help
The skilled Virginia personal injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Steven D. Barnette, P.C., have extensive experience helping those in our community seek the compensation they need to move on after a slip and fall injury. Call us or reach out online for a free, no-obligation consultation, and let us review your case.
