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3 common reasons for slip and falls

Mar 27, 2019 | Property Injuries

Home » 3 common reasons for slip and falls

Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer, O'Fallon, ILSlip-and-fall accidents are more common than you may think. The National Floor Safety Institute finds that there are approximately 1 million emergency room visits every year because of slip-and-fall injuries. Injuries you may sustain from such an incident range from minor bruises to severe skull fractures. As slip and fall injury lawyers in O’Fallon, IL, we wanted to keep our neighbors informed of the risks they face.

Because of the risk of this issue, it is vital to do whatever you can to avoid getting hurt in this manner. The first step is to know what causes these types of accidents to occur.

1. Wet surfaces

Of course, slipping often happens due to wet walkways. Surfaces can become slippery because of:
• Rain
• Ice
• Snow
• Mopping
• Waxing
• Collection of moisture
• Liquid spills

These conditions can occur in a variety of places and situations, including indoors and outdoors. You may encounter a hazardous surface in public, commercial, residential and industrial areas. This makes it clear why slipping and falling is such a common problem.

2. Inadequate lighting

Lighting may not seem like an obvious cause of slips and falls, but it is. Poor lighting, whether indoors or outdoors, may cause you to not notice hazards, such as the ones mentioned above. When you cannot see a dangerous condition, you cannot properly avoid it.

3. Poor footwear

The wrong shoes or boots can contribute to slip-and-fall accidents, but they are usually not the core cause of such incidents. However, it is helpful for you to get shoes with proper traction and non-slip soles. This will help protect you even if you encounter risks.

At the end of the day, property owners bear responsibility for ensuring their premises are free of slip-and-fall hazards. While you can educate yourself and take steps to avoid accidents, it is generally property owners who are ultimately liable if you sustain an injury due to a dangerous condition.

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