When thinking about slip and fall accidents, most people immediately think of the yellow “wet floor” caution sign in most businesses. While this is a common example of slip and fall accident prevention, many victims of slip and fall accidents in Oklahoma may be unaware of the extent of how their accident counts as a slip and fall.
The sad news? Many businesses would prefer this ignorance. If victims were truly aware that their accident was the responsibility of the property owner or manager, then that could cause more people to bring legal action against them.
In this blog, we’ll examine some common causes of slip and fall accidents, the common locations where these accidents occur, and the consequences of slip and falls. If you have any questions, call our Oklahoma City slip and fall accident attorney at (405) 397-1717, and we’d love to help guide you.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, from workplaces to public spaces, resulting in serious injuries. Understanding the common causes of these incidents is crucial in preventing them and ensuring the safety of employees, customers, and visitors.
- Wet or Uneven Surfaces: Many slip and fall incidents occur due to wet floors, loose floorboards, uneven carpeting, or walking surfaces. Proper signage and regular maintenance can mitigate these risks.
- Poor Lighting: Inadequate lighting can make it difficult to see obstacles or changes in the walking surface, leading to falls. Ensuring proper lighting in walkways, staircases, and other areas is crucial to prevent slip and fall accidents.
- Clutter and Obstacles: Objects left on the floor, like cords, bunched-up area rugs, or debris, can easily become tripping hazards. Regular cleaning and organized storage can help prevent these accidents.
- Weather Conditions: Ice, snow, and rain can make outdoor walking surfaces slippery. Property owners should address these conditions promptly by salting walkways and removing snow and ice.
- Lack of Safety Railings and Poor Staircase Design: The absence of handrails and poorly designed staircases can lead to falls, especially in high-traffic areas.
Where Do Slip and Fall Accidents Happen?
As examined above, a slip and fall can occur anywhere there is a potential hazard. However, the following are the most common areas where they can happen.
- Lobbies and Entrances: These areas are high-traffic zones with common slips and falls, especially during inclement weather when water and debris are tracked inside.
- Kitchens and Bathrooms: These locations are prone to wet floors, a primary cause of slips and falls.
- Parking Lots and Sidewalks: Outdoor areas like parking lots and sidewalks are often affected by weather conditions that can lead to slippery surfaces.
- Stairways: Poor lighting, lack of handrails, uneven step sizes, and worn or torn carpeting can contribute to falls on staircases.
Of course, slips and falls can be more devastating depending on the population in those locations. Nursing homes, hospitals, and assistive living facilities have groups of people prone to falls. To successfully win your slip and fall accident case, you must get help from a lawyer.
Consequences of Slip and Fall Accidents in Oklahoma City
The consequences of slip and falls can be mild to serious, depending on the severity of the fall. At a minimum, most slip and falls yield injuries from which the victim can take months or years to recover. Our Warhawk Legal team can help you determine liability and prove negligence in your slip and fall case.
If you need any questions answered about your potential slip and fall case, contact our Oklahoma City personal injury lawyer by calling (405) 397-1717.