Disclaimer: This article is only a means to inform readers on tips to reduce damage risks after a slip and fall incident. Always consult a lawyer who is proficient in this kind of case to avoid confusion on the legal aspects of this case.

People tend to laugh at those who slip and fall. However, you will not be the one laughing when a slip and fall accident happens to you. Your regular day at the office may turn into a traumatic event because of this kind of incident.

Slip and fall accidents can cause serious physical injuries that may affect a person’s ability to go to work and function. Therefore, it is essential to reduce instances that may cause such accidents to happen. If you do find yourself in this kind of situation, perhaps a legal professional such as ones here might be of assistance.

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

There are many instances that can cause a slip and fall accident. Some of them include:

  1. Uneven flooring – Uneven flooring on offices, business establishments, and even homes can cause slip and fall accidents to happen.
  2. Wet floors – Slip and fall accidents also happen because of damp flooring. The cleaning personnel may have missed a spot and forgot to wipe off the floor.
  3. Poor lighting – improper lighting in the establishment or office can cause victims to slip and fall. They are not able to see where they are going because of little or no light. 
  4. Cables – Cables that are not appropriately stored usually cause slip and fall accidents.

When you get involved in an accident involving slipping and falling, you can sustain injuries to your:

  • Arm
  • Elbow
  • Face
  • Knee
  • Head
  • Neck
  • Spinal Cord

These causes are, most times, avoidable. It is the duty of the building maintenance, floor manager, and cleaning personnel to ensure that they reduce or eliminate risks.

How to Reduce Risk of Slip and Fall Accidents

Reducing the instances of slip and fall accidents requires meticulous planning and implementation of safety measures. Without these safety measures, your personnel is at risk of being a victim of such accidents.

  • Keep cables out of the way. If you are installing cables in your building or office area, it is best to keep them away from areas with significant foot traffic.
  • Install adequate lighting. Ensure that walkways are always well lit. This safety measure helps in reducing the risk of your personnel sustaining physical injuries due to tripping or slipping accidents.
  • Put up signs near wet floors. If there is a wet floor area, put up signs to warn people that walk past it. Installing warning signs allow those who pass on the walkway to tread extra carefully.
  • Ensure walkways are free of clutter and debris. Footpaths should be clean and free of debris from constructions or repairs. Check the floor for uneven cracks. If they are present, always install warning signs for passers-by.
  • Install handrails on staircases. Handlebars should be correctly installed. They should not have any loose parts that put risks on the safety of the people using it.

Proving Your Slip and Fall Injury Claim

If you are a victim of a slip and fall injury, you have the option of filing a claim against the negligent party. Here are some of the ways you can prove your claim:

  • The people responsible for ensuring personnel safety must protect everyone in the building premises. You must first establish a duty before making a claim. Property and building owners must guarantee the establishment is safe. Once people are inside the facility, the owners are responsible for what happens to them. If you are a victim of such case, you have to prove that there was no implementation of safety measures during the time of your accident.
  • The floor you were injured by is not safe. You must be able to prove that the building’s condition was substandard. Uneven paths and presence of debris are usually the causes of this type of accident. Take pictures of the accident area as evidence.
  • You did not cause the slip and fall accident. You must also prove that you are not the reason the accident happened. You must establish that there was negligence on the part of the establishment’s owner that is why you slipped, fell, and got injured. To prove this, ensure that:
    1. You were not using your mobile phone (or distracted in any other way) while walking.
    2. You did not ignore the warning signs put up inside the establishment.
    3. You did not trespass on any property that you were not allowed to enter.

A regular day at the mall or in the office can turn into a disaster when you find yourself involved in this kind of accident. Your physical injuries are proof of what happened. However, you have to provide the courts with enough evidence to file your claim.

Vicki is a law writing enthusiast who’s had over 25 years of experience in her field. She enjoys sharing her experiences with those who want to learn more about the legal world. In her spare time she spends quality time with her family and friends.

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