Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
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There's a subtle difference between slips
and falls. A slip happens on the same level,
such as when you slip while walking on a slippery
floor or stumble over a crack on a sidewalk.
A fall normally refers to a change in elevation,
such as when you fall off a ladder or tumble
down a flight of stairs.
There are over a million injuries each year
that result from slips and falls, including
17,000 fatalities. While sometimes minor and
causing no more than a bruised ego, many slip
and fall accidents result in broken limbs.
The back is the most often injured part of
the body in falls, but joint injuries to the
wrist, elbow and shoulder, or the ankle, knee
and hip, which are most frequently associated
with slips, are also very common.
Slips and falls are commonly caused by liquids
spilled on the surface you walk on that leave
oily or slippery residue. They can also be
caused by uneven surfaces or steps, or by
defects in the surface materials. Holes, or
broken steps or floorboards, can also cause
an injury.
Another common cause is defective, dim, or
inadequate lighting that reduces your chance
to see the hazard, and many people trip over
exposed wiring or on loose or worn carpets.
Cracked or loose floor tiles create many accidents,
as do obstacles in the pathway and cupboard
doors or filing cabinets that have been left
open.
While the causes are many, the results are
often depressingly similar for any victim.
In addition to the pain of an injury, there's
often time lost from work for treatment and
recovery. Reaching a satisfactory settlement
with the property owners and insurance companies
can be an even greater challenge, and enlisting
the services of a qualified and experienced
attorney, such as those at Banafsheh, Danesh
& Javid, P.C., can let you concentrate
on getting better while we obtain the best
possible settlement on your behalf.
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