{"id":10172,"date":"2021-05-10T05:35:33","date_gmt":"2021-05-10T05:35:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/?p=10172"},"modified":"2022-01-04T15:24:08","modified_gmt":"2022-01-04T15:24:08","slug":"common-causes-of-slip-and-fall-injuries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/common-causes-slip-and-fall-injuries\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/practice-areas\/slip-and-fall\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">slip and fall accident<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can happen almost anywhere &#8212; at work, at home, at a friend\u2019s house, at the mall, even at your place of worship. This type of accident can happen suddenly and leave someone seriously injured. Slipping and falling can lead to serious and sometimes permanent injuries, especially for children and the elderly. It can result in:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/calculating-pain-and-suffering\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain and suffering<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/soft-tissue-injury-lawyers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soft tissue injuries<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/spinal-cord-injury-lawyers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spinal cord injuries<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/practice-areas\/brain-injury-lawyers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brain injuries<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/practice-areas\/long-term-disability\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long-term disability<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In most cases, however, it is the person or business responsible for preventing such accidents who is legally at <a href=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/proving-slip-and-fall-injury-not-your-fault\/\">fault<\/a>. If they fail to fulfill this legal duty and someone gets hurt, they could expose themselves to liability.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you injured yourself in a <a href=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/practice-areas\/slip-and-fall\/\">slip and fall accident<\/a>, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and physical and emotional trauma from the business or property owner that caused your fall. To be able to prevent these kinds of accidents and figure out who&#8217;s at fault if it happens, here are the leading causes of <a href=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/practice-areas\/slip-and-fall\/\">slip and fall injuries<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\"><b>Wet and Uneven Walking Surfaces<\/b><\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common cause of slip and fall accidents globally is wet and uneven surfaces. Floors can become slippery when spills, water, and ice from outdoors are tracked in or if signs are not promptly posted. Moreover, cleaned floors can be dangerous too since they are constantly cleaned and waxed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other examples and instances that can be very hazardous, and can be the cause of a <a href=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/practice-areas\/slip-and-fall\/\">slip and fall accident<\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Loose floorboards<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Loose mats<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Worn out carpeting<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Freshly waxed or mopped surfaces<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Parking lot potholes<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/sidewalk-slip-fall-who-is-liable\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Defective sidewalks<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Poorly constructed staircases<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Cluttered Floors<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Moisture collection<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several of these accidents are preventable if you follow preventive measures and have some knowledge about how to maintain floors. Here are some tips you can consider doing:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mopping up wet floors and spills immediately, and posting warning signs<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintaining pavements by filling and patching up cracks or holes<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Icing walkways and removing snow<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using non-skid materials on the flooring where appropriate<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soaking up the excess moisture on floors with mats at entrances<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watching weather conditions to foresee hazards and take action<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\"><b>Weather Conditions<\/b><\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weather conditions can also lead to slip and fall accidents. For instance, weather is a natural occurrence that is impossible to control which has made it among the leading causes of slip and fall accidents in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Examples of weather conditions that can cause a slip and fall accident include icy walkways and wet floors due to heavy rain. In cases where a person is injured due to negligence, well-meaning property owners and municipalities could be held liable. Indeed, some of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/liability-in-slip-and-fall-accidents\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">highest slip and fall compensation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> awards have resulted from this kind of negligence.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\"><b>Environmental Conditions<\/b><\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Environmental issues can increase the risk of, or prevent slips and trips, so it is important to take them into consideration. Common examples and instances of environmental slip and fall hazards include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Debris or trash on the floor<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cords running across a walkway<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Poor lighting that makes it hard for a person to see hazards<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bright lighting that causes a glare on shiny floor surfaces<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Open cabinets and drawers<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flooring transitions, going from one flooring material to another<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, many slips and falls could actually be avoided by better planning and design of environmental factors. Here are some tips you can consider doing:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Removing obstacles from all walkways, including cords and open drawers or doors<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using proper lighting<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep walkways and surrounding areas clean.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\"><b><i>Recovering from a slip and fall injury is a stressful process that requires you to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side. Call Diamond and Diamond Lawyers today at 1-800-567-HURT and we will help you prepare your case so the other side will pay for your injuries and damages.<\/i><\/b><\/h4>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\"><b>Improper Safety Practices<\/b><\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slips and falls often happen in the workplace. Training is crucial to preventing these kinds of accidents. Every employee in high-risk industries should be properly trained to use the tools and equipment necessary for the job.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those in certain occupations are at risk of slip and fall accidents if proper safety practices are not followed in the workplace. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Custodial staff<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Housekeepers<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Construction industry workers<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manual laborers<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chefs and kitchen staff<\/span><\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Factory workers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Workplace slip and fall accidents can be prevented if all employees are trained properly on how to use the instruments and equipment they need to make sure they are safe when working. They should be given the information needed to stay safe while working, like wearing the correct safety gear.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\"><b>Get In Touch With A Personal Injury Lawyer<\/b><\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/05\/Get-In-Touch-With-A-Personal-Injury-Lawyer.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"450\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-10175\" srcset=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/05\/Get-In-Touch-With-A-Personal-Injury-Lawyer.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/05\/Get-In-Touch-With-A-Personal-Injury-Lawyer-300x132.jpg 300w, https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/05\/Get-In-Touch-With-A-Personal-Injury-Lawyer-768x338.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you get involved in a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/proving-slip-and-fall-injury-not-your-fault\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">slip and fall accident that was caused by the negligence of a person or business<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, our experienced personal injury lawyers can come to your rescue. Diamond and Diamond personal injury lawyers can help you in assessing the value of your claim and suggest appropriate action compensation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our personal injury lawyers help you prepare your case so the other side will pay for your injuries and damages. In essence, recovering from a slip and fall accident is a stressful process that requires you to have an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/personal-injury\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">experienced personal injury lawyer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on your side. Contact 1-800-567-HURT today!<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\"><b><i>PRO TIP:<\/i><\/b><\/h4>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cBy knowing what causes slip and fall accidents, you will be better prepared to prevent them from happening.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2 dir=\"ltr\"><b>Common Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries FAQs<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_toggle title=&#8221;What are some immediate steps I should take after a slip and fall accident?&#8221; style=&#8221;round&#8221; color=&#8221;blue&#8221; el_id=&#8221;1610080524707-d830ee54-dfbd&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After seeking the proper medical treatment, the immediate steps you should take after a slip and fall accident include reporting the accident to the authority, documenting everything, and calling a personal injury lawyer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=&#8221;What is a premises liability case?&#8221; style=&#8221;round&#8221; color=&#8221;blue&#8221; el_id=&#8221;1610080546599-e1ba23d2-5ca0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A slip and fall case is a type of premises liability claim. Premises liability cases are personal injury claims where the at-fault party is responsible for an accident and a plaintiff&#8217;s injuries. In premises liability cases, the negligent party can be the property owner, landowner, or property manager.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=&#8221;Can I sue if I experience a slip and fall accident in my workplace but do not suffer an injury?&#8221; style=&#8221;round&#8221; color=&#8221;blue&#8221; el_id=&#8221;1610080574612-96286418-5cfa&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just like any successful personal <\/span><b>injury lawsuit, a slip and fall claim <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">requires <\/span><b>you<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to prove that <\/span><b>you<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> suffered financial losses or noneconomic losses from the <\/span><b>injuries you<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> received on behalf of the negligent party. You must show that your injuries are sufficiently severe to justify financial losses. For instance, medical expenses and lost wages would be considered losses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=&#8221;How soon after my slip and fall accident do I need to contact legal help?&#8221; style=&#8221;round&#8221; color=&#8221;blue&#8221; el_id=&#8221;1624964965763-6c937d0a-6321&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Generally speaking, it is best to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as you are able after a slip and fall accident or injury. Above all, it is recommended to seek emergency medical help within 72 hours of a slip and fall accident and collect as much evidence as you can.&quot;}\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:33569667,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;4&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:16777215},&quot;10&quot;:1,&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;14&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:4408131},&quot;15&quot;:&quot;Saira&quot;,&quot;16&quot;:10,&quot;28&quot;:1}\">Generally speaking, it is best to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as you are able after a slip and fall accident or injury. Above all, it is recommended to seek emergency medical help within 72 hours of a slip and fall accident and collect as much evidence as you can.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=&#8221;Do I need an accident report at the time of my fall?&#8221; style=&#8221;round&#8221; color=&#8221;blue&#8221; el_id=&#8221;1624965000328-5aae8e53-944e&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Yes, accident reports at the time of your fall are an essential component of your claim but the law does not stipulate that you must complete the accident report immediately after a fall. It is recommended to seek emergency medical help within 72 hours of a slip and fall accident. Otherwise, there are some things that you can do if you are able to talk that will help your case later. You can compile as many photos and video footage as possible and you can record your notes about the accident that you can use when you complete the accident report later.&quot;}\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:33569667,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;4&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:16777215},&quot;10&quot;:1,&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;14&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:4408131},&quot;15&quot;:&quot;Saira&quot;,&quot;16&quot;:10,&quot;28&quot;:1}\">Yes, accident reports at the time of your fall are an essential component of your claim but the law does not stipulate that you must complete the accident report immediately after a fall. It is recommended to seek emergency medical help within 72 hours of a slip and fall accident. Otherwise, there are some things that you can do if you are able to talk that will help your case later. You can compile as many photos and video footage as possible and you can record your notes about the accident that you can use when you complete the accident report later.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=&#8221;How long does a slip and fall case take to resolve?&#8221; style=&#8221;round&#8221; color=&#8221;blue&#8221; el_id=&#8221;1624965019647-86f111fb-ca4d&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;It can take anywhere from months to years to receive a settlement for a slip and fall claim depending on all of the factors in a specific case. These factors include things like waiting for the final cost of medical treatment and negotiations with insurance companies over a settlement amount.&quot;}\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:33569667,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;4&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:16777215},&quot;10&quot;:1,&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;14&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:4408131},&quot;15&quot;:&quot;Saira&quot;,&quot;16&quot;:10,&quot;28&quot;:1}\">It can take anywhere from months to years to receive a settlement for a slip and fall claim depending on all of the factors in a specific case. These factors include things like waiting for the final cost of medical treatment and negotiations with insurance companies over a settlement amount.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_toggle][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] A slip and fall accident can happen almost anywhere &#8212; at work, at home, at a friend\u2019s house, at the mall, even at your place of worship. This type of accident can happen suddenly and leave someone seriously injured. Slipping and falling can lead to serious and sometimes permanent injuries, especially for children and&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11841,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[812],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10172","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-legal-needs","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10172","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10172"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10172\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11841"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10172"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10172"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10172"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}