Common Locations of Slip and Fall Accidents

Over one million people seek medical treatment at emergency rooms each year in the U.S. due to injuries from slip and falls. These accidents can happen in many places, and they usually occur when you least expect them. 

Typically, falls occur due to slippery or uneven floor surfaces, clutter or debris on the ground, or other hazards. These accidents might seem minor, but they regularly result in severe injuries that need medical treatment and disrupt a victim’s life in many ways. While recovering from slip and fall injuries, victims endure physical and emotional pain, mounting medical bills, disability, and lost income.

If you’re a victim of a slip and fall accident, you deserve compensation for your losses. A Tulsa injury attorney can conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether someone else should be responsible for your injuries. A key factor is where – and why – the slip and fall happened. 

Common Locations of Slip and Fall Accidents

Grocery Stores

A trip to a grocery store is a normal part of your life; however, a slip or a fall accident can make it catastrophic. If the grocery store management fails to maintain the premises or adhere to safety precautions, customers or employees become vulnerable to slips or falls.

Here are some common causes of falls and slips in grocery stores:

• Spills of food or drinks that are not properly cleaned up
• Water on the floor in restrooms
• Continuing business operations during repairs or remodels
• Improperly installed flooring or tiles
• Failure to display warning signs for slippery floors
• Unattended items or equipment in the aisles

Parking Lots

Improperly maintained parking lots create trip, slip, and fall hazards for anyone walking through the area. Victims of parking lot fall and slip accidents might suffer severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, neck injuries, shoulder, or spinal injuries.

Property owners and business owners must keep their premises – including parking lots and sidewalks – safe. In addition, they should also warn visitors of any existing hazards.

Some common reasons for parking lot slip and fall accidents include:

• Unattended ice
• Liquid and oil slips
• Trash and debris
• Cracked or uneven pavements
• Defective lighting

Some parties liable for slip and fall accidents include the business proprietor, landlord, or government agencies, depending on who is responsible for parking lot maintenance.

Hotels & Restaurants

A trip to your favorite cafe can turn ugly if you are involved in a slip and fall accident. Similar to other industries, hotels and restaurants create several hazards. These might include:

• Slippery floor surfaces
• Poor lighting, glare, or shadows 
• Poorly designed or maintained stairs
• Dangerous surface conditions like loose carpets, raised edges, or dirty floors
• Obstructions in walkways like extension cables or cleaning equipment

While you should enjoy your time at a hotel or restaurant, some people end up in the emergency room.

Construction Sites

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires employers to protect employees from workplace hazards. According to the U.S Bureau of labor statistics, construction accounted for 46% of fatal falls, slips, and trips in 2020.

Common causes of these accidents on sites include:

• Defective or improperly maintained stairs or ladders
• Debris or clutter on the ground
• Loose cables, wires, and hoses
• Unsafe handling and storage of tools and equipment
• Wet or slippery surfaces

Employers can prevent slip and fall accidents by providing quality safety gear to their workforce. However, sometimes, a third party might be negligent and cause a slip and fall, leading to an injury claim. 

Common Areas

Apartments and condominiums often have many common areas, including lobbies, staircases, elevators, parking garages, pool areas, and more. When landlords or management companies fail to address possible hazards in these areas, both residents and visitors can suffer serious injuries in slip and falls. The same goes for common areas in malls, shopping centers, and other residential communities or business centers.

Speak to a Reputable Tulsa Slip and Fall Accident Attorney

Besides the physical and emotional pain, slip and fall accidents can be costly and disrupt the everyday life of victims. If you think someone else was to blame for your accident, always work with an experienced slip and fall accident attorney from Wandres Law. Contact us online or call us at 833-ASK-WLAW for a free consultation.