Just How Common are Slip and Fall Accidents?

Falls account for 2.8 million emergency room visits each and every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These accidents can result in serious physical injury to the victims, and cost more than $31 billion a year in medical costs. Of those fall accidents, one million of those accidents were slip and fall accidents. And these accidents could have been prevented. Business and property owners have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their guests and protect them against negligence. If they fail to do so, they can – and should – be held liable.

In general, slip and fall accidents are caused by 4 main types of negligence:

1. Wet or uneven surfaces – according to the National Floor Safety Institute, 56% of all slip and fall accidents are because of a wet or uneven floor surface. Property owners should take extra caution to mark wet floors and to repair any uneven surfaces.
2. Winter weather accidents – winter weather conditions can cause icy or snowy walkways and parking lots. Property owners should remove snow and ice from areas where their guests will commonly walk. Even though snow and ice are part of Mother Nature, this does not remove the owner's legal obligations.
3. Poor lighting – dark parking lots, corners of buildings, and walkways can pose hazardous to guests. In stairwells especially, a broken light can be disastrous and lead to serious injuries. Property owners should take care to have their properties well-lit and repair all broken lights promptly.
4. Poor workplace conditions or training – workplace falls are the third leading cause of on-the-job deaths in manufacturing. One reason for these falls is simply inadequate training or poor workplace conditions.
5. Building code violations – At Sciantarelli Law Firm, we have found that many Slip and Fall incidents are caused in whole or in part by building code violations. In all premises liability cases Kevin Sciantarelli does a thorough building code investigation. While building code violations are not necessary to prove negligence or to pursue a Slip and Fall case, they are relevant evidence of fault and liability in many instances.

Contact Our Louisville Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers

If you or someone you love has been injured in a slip and fall accident, it is important to speak to an experienced Kentucky slip and fall accident injury lawyer immediately. To learn more about your legal rights, contact experienced Louisville slip and fall accident attorney, Kevin Sciantarelli, today for a free consultation. Call 1-855-538-4611 or fill out our online contact form for more information.