Slip & Fall Accidents

A slip and fall injury accident can occur nearly anywhere, on public or private property, indoors or outdoors.

The National Fall Safety Institute reported that Falls account for over 8 million hospital emergency room visits, representing the leading cause of visits (21.3%).

Slips and falls account for over 1 million visits, or 12% of total falls. Fractures are the most serious consequences of falls and occur in 5% of all people who fall. Of all fractures from fals, hip fractures are the most serious and lead to the greatest health problems and number of deaths.

The following statistics describe the slip-and-fall crisis affecting our nation’s elderly. A slip-and-fall injury can occur because of hazards such as:

Adverse weather conditions (for example, ice, snow, or rain)
Uneven sidewalks
Potholes
Poorly lit or unmarked pathways or stairs
Slippery tiling
Unbalanced flooring
Rippled carpet
Obstructions on the floor or walkway

Type of Slip and Fall Injuries

Since property owners are responsible for maintaining safe premises and warning visitors of potential hazards, they can be held liable for injuries that occur due to unsafe conditions on their property.

Slip-and fall accidents can result in many types of injuries, ranging from the relatively minor to the extremely severe. A victim may sustain bruises, broken bones, and scrapes that require minimal medical treatment and heal relatively quickly. Other victims may suffer a catastrophic personal injury such as a brain injury, spinal cord injury, or burn injury – that causes lifelong damage and requires ongoing medical care. In the worst-case scenario, the victim dies because of his or her injuries.

If this is the case, and the accident occurred because of the property owner’s negligence, then the death is considered a wrongful death and can be litigated as such.

The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control estimates that, in 2018 alone, more than eight million people were injured in slip-and-fall accidents.