It doesn’t matter if you’re in an office building, grocery store, shopping mall or anywhere else, it’s critical that you always take care to protect your safety.
Understanding the most common causes of indoor slip and fall accidents allows you to do just that. Here are some that you should protect against:
- Wet floors: It doesn’t matter why a floor is wet, it has the potential to cause you to slip and fall. For example, if the floors were recently cleaned, they may be slick, which makes it difficult to maintain your footing.
- Faulty stairs: This takes on many forms, ranging from missing steps to a loose handrail. Any time you’re using a stairwell, pay attention to every step you take.
- Debris: Even a seemingly harmless piece of debris, such as a soda can or piece of paper, can cause you to slip.
- Elevators and escalators: Many buildings have elevators and escalators to transport people efficiently. While these are generally safe, there are risks to be aware of. For instance, if an elevator jerks while you’re attempting to get on or off, it could knock you to the ground.
What to do after a fall
If someone you are with is in a slip and fall accident, have them stay where they are for a bit to catch their breath and figure out how badly they are hurt. Don’t let them just pop up right away. Adrenaline may mask some of the pain of the fall. If they get up too quickly, they may hurt themselves more. Take a few photos of what they slipped on and the location where they fell. If you were the one who fell, follow this same advice.
Did they break a bone? Did they dislocate their knee? Did they hit their head? It is best to make certain they don’t have hidden injuries before letting just walk away from the scene. Make certain they see a medical professional right away. Often, they will feel far worse the next day.
If you or a loved one is suffering because of a slip, trip or fall, learn about your legal options for obtaining compensation from those who are at fault.
