Stay Safe This Spring: Avoiding Slip and Fall Accidents

Spring offers warmer weather, longer days, and the opportunity to get out of the house for fun and other events. However, spring weather and busier locations can also increase the risk of a slip, trip, or fall. 

Falls are the number-one cause of emergency room visits in the United States. Falls account for about 8 million ER visits or 21.3 percent of all ER visits each year, according to the National Flooring Safety Institute (NFSI). About five percent of people who fall experience at least one broken bone.

While falls are not the most common cause of death in workplace accidents, they are the most common cause of injuries that require workers to take days off work to recover. They’re also the most common cause of workers’ compensation claims.

Here’s what Philadelphians need to know to understand the risks of slip and fall injuries during their spring outings.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries

Slips, trips, and falls can result from many different scenarios. Common causes of a slip and fall accident in a Philadelphia business or public area include:

• Spills, puddles, or debris. Spring can result in rain, mud, and dirt tracked onto floors, which can increase the risk of a fall. More visitors to an area can also increase the risk of a spill. 
• Cluttered pathways. Many businesses take advantage of spring to set out new merchandise, offer sales, or hold special events. When merchandise or other items fill walkways and customer areas, however, visitors are at higher risk of slipping, tripping, or falling. 
• Inadequate lighting or blocked views can prevent someone from seeing a slip-and-fall hazard until it is too late to avoid an injury.
• Broken handrails, stairs, or uneven steps can cause a fall injury. These hazards prevent someone from taking steps to prevent harm. 
• Broken flooring. Floors and flooring materials are involved in 2 million fall injuries each year, according to the NFSI. Broken floor tiles, ripped or bubbled carpets, and other issues can cause injuries. 
• Potholes and uneven pavement. Spring’s freeze-thaw weather cycles can cause the pavement to break or crack. Potholes, cracks, uneven pavement, and other hazards may appear in areas that were smooth and level before. Visitors to a business may not spot these risks until it is too late to prevent an injury. 

Spring temperatures can also change quickly. Black ice can form, further increasing the risk of a slip and fall. Businesses that don’t account for sudden weather changes may fail to salt walkways or take other steps necessary to prevent these hazards. 

Other situations and scenarios can also cause a slip and fall. If you’re injured in a slip, trip, or fall, talk to a knowledgeable attorney about your legal rights and options.

What to Do If You’re Injured in a Slip, Trip, or Fall

Pennsylvania businesses have a duty to protect visitors by minimizing the risk of a slip, trip, or fall. If a business cannot immediately fix a hazard that could cause a fall, the business must warn its visitors about the risk. One common warning type is a “wet floor” sign placed on recently mopped floors. These signs warn visitors that the floor could be slippery.

When a business fails to meet its obligation and an injury results, an injured person can seek compensation. Here’s what to do if you’re injured in a visit to a Philadelphia business this spring:

• Get medical attention. See a doctor as soon as possible. Attend follow-up and other appointments as scheduled. Use medications and medical devices as prescribed. 
• Save your paperwork. Keep doctor’s notes, medical bills and receipts, paperwork from your employer about any time you lost from work, and other paperwork related to your injury. If you need to pay for anything because you were injured, keep a copy of the receipt. 
• Keep a log. Whenever you talk to someone about an accident or injury, write down the date, time, who you talked to, and what was said. This information can also help you keep track of events and demonstrate your right to compensation.

Finally, speak to an experienced attorney. A lawyer with a track record of successful representation of injured people can help you understand your legal rights and fight for the compensation you need. 

Talk to an Experienced Philadelphia Injury Lawyer Today

A slip-and-fall accident can cause serious injuries. If you’re injured by a slip, trip, or fall, talk to an experienced Philadelphia injury lawyer today. The team at MyPhillyLawyer can help.