5 Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Florida
Even if you’re an extremely cautious person, there’s always a chance you could suffer an injury in a slip and fall accident. These accidents have a way of popping up to harm you when you least expect it.
On the plus side, understanding the most common causes of slip and fall accidents in Florida can help you prevent trouble. Here are five causes to protect against at all costs:
1. Wet Surfaces
Just because you know that wet surfaces are generally slippery doesn’t mean you’re always in a position to avoid a slip and fall accident.
For example, if you’re strolling through a grocery store in search of a specific item, you’re not likely to pay attention to the ground in front of you. If there’s a wet spot from a spilled product, your next step could result in a slip, fall, and serious injuries.
2. Faulty Stairs
Think about all the times that you go up and down stairs when you’re away from home. There’s a good chance you do this at your office, medical buildings, shopping malls, and more.
Even though stairways are built with safety in mind, things can and do go wrong over time.
Common examples of faulty stairs include missing steps, loose handrails, and stair risers that are higher than code.
You’re conditioned to assume that all stairways are relatively the same. This can give you a false sense of security, which improves the chance of an accident.
3. Uneven Floors
In most cases, you don’t expect to find yourself walking on uneven floors. Is this something you would expect in a commercial building or retail store? How about a shopping mall?
Since uneven floors are unexpected, you’re more likely to overlook them and put yourself at risk of a fall. Adding to your concerns is the fact that you can’t always spot uneven or sloping floors with the naked eye.
4. Debris
Trip hazards come in many shapes and sizes. Common examples include newspapers, office paper, bottles, cans, and trash bags.
Imagine briskly walking through an office building on your way to your vehicle, just to step on a newspaper. Unless you’re extremely fortunate, you’ll end up on the ground wondering what happened.
5. Improper Use of Floor Treatments
There are many ways to treat hard surface flooring such as tile, wood, and vinyl. And while floor treatment products are designed to be safe, that only holds true when they’re used in the appropriate manner.
For instance, if too much floor polish is used, it can make for a slippery surface. Since you can’t see the polish, there’s no way of knowing that it poses a risk.
Note: even if the responsible party displays a “wet or slippery floor” sign, that’s not always enough to keep you safe.
Types of Slip and Fall Accident Injuries
Slip and fall accident injuries range from minor to severe. Some of the most common include:
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries, such as strains, sprains, and tears
- Head injuries, such as a concussion and bleeding on the brain
- Back and neck injuries
In the most severe of cases, a slip and fall accident can result in death. This is particularly true if an injury, such as bleeding on the brain, goes undetected and untreated.
Even if you feel okay after a slip and fall accident, don’t turn down medical treatment. A thorough examination is important for many reasons, including the fact that it allows you to receive treatment for any injury you’ve suffered.
At Pardy & Rodriguez, P.A., we take great pride in providing slip and fall injury victims with top-notch service from day one. We will review your case, answer your questions, and help you feel confident in the steps to come. It’s our goal to help you in any way possible during your recovery.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident due to another party’s negligence, contact our law firm online or via phone at 407-602-6216. From there, one of our experienced attorneys will step in to manage your case and provide the guidance you’re seeking. And as always, you pay nothing unless we win your case.
