The high number of emergency room cases that are caused by slips, trips, and falls is very surprising. Over a million patients are treated for some kind of injury caused by slip, fall, or trip hazard each year.
While the vast majority of cases require minor treatments for bumps, scratches, sprains, and bruises, there are a few of the more serious cases that require extensive medical treatment, such as broken bones and head injuries.
Regardless of the seriousness of the injuries sustained, personal injury law in Dallas, Texas, entitles the victims to fair compensation from the negligent party.
However, such cases are not always easy. Usually, the victim will need to hire the services of good slip and fall attorneys to make sure they get the compensation they deserve. The first step the attorney will usually take is to look at some of the leading causes of slips, trips, and falls before determining who is at fault and suing for damages.
The Most Common Causes of Slips, Trips. And Falls
What is the biggest cause of slip accidents in the workplace? There is no single leading cause of slips, trips, and falls that applies to each work environment. The circumstances differ with each case, meaning any of the following most common causes of slips, trips, and falls could be responsible:
Uneven Floor Surface
Many slip and fall accidents are caused by uneven floor surfaces due to poor construction of the floors. Even a difference of a few inches can be enough to cause fall accidents to occur.
This means simply walking at work can be hazardous for employees if the floors are uneven. The unfortunate thing is that it is very difficult to tell that a floor is uneven just by looking at it. As a result, until the floor is fixed or some warning signs are put in place, fall accidents will continue to happen.
Poor Lighting
Poorly lit areas always have a higher risk of slips, trips, and falls than other areas. If the employees cannot see where they are going, there is a high chance that they will trip on something and fall.
With good lighting, it is easy to identify various hazards, such as changes in floor levels and clutter that has been left on the ground. While natural light is best during the day, at night, or in areas with poor lighting due to very few windows, it is best to invest in artificial lighting solutions, such as LED lamps.
Wet Floors
Slip and fall accidents caused by wet and slippery floors can be very dangerous because the victim is usually caught completely unaware and has no time to reach out and prevent the fall.
Slipping on wet floors is one of the most common causes of serious injuries, especially if the victim hits their head on the ground. Whenever slippery floors are being cleaned or there is some kind of leak causing wet patches to form, warning signs must be put in place to prevent slip-and-fall accidents.
Improper Training
A large number of the slips, trips, and falls that cause workplace injuries can be easily prevented by ensuring that the employees are properly trained. Usually, companies will focus on training employees who work in high-risk environments, such as those working on raised platforms.
However, such training should be made available to all employees. Even simple things, such as reminding people to use handrails when going up and down the stairs, can prevent a lot of fall accidents from happening.
Loose Mats and Floor Coverings
Slips, trips, and falls caused by loose mats and other floor coverings are also quite common. When laying down floor mats and carpets, it is important to ensure that the underside has a good grip on the floor to prevent people from slipping when they step onto it. Torn carpets are another trip hazard that needs to be identified and dealt with.
Wrong Footwear
Employees should ensure that they wear the right footwear for every job. If they are going to be working in wet areas, it is best to wear rubber-soled shoes that will not slip easily when wet. When it comes to workplace footwear, proper traction is always more important than aesthetics.
Trailing Cables
One of the biggest trip hazards in office environments is trailing cables that crisscross the floor. It is important to design the layout of offices and warehouses to ensure that electrical equipment and appliances are not installed far away from the socket so that cables do not need to run all over the floor and pose a tripping hazard.
Poor Housekeeping
Poor housekeeping, such as leaving a lot of clutter on the floors, is one of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents. When these items are left lying on the ground, they cause obstacles that can cause an unsuspecting employee to trip.
Damages Awarded for Slip and Fall Accidents
Even though a lot has been done by companies to ensure the well-being of employees, workplace injuries caused by slips, trips, and falls are still common.
Victims of such fall accidents are entitled to receive the following damages:
Medical bills
Lost wages
Permanent disability
Steps to Take After Slip and Fall Incidents
The fight for fair compensation in slip-and-fall personal injury cases can easily become a war between the victim and the at-fault party. Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys can help with questions like, "What is the average payout for a trip and fall?"
Usually, it helps the attorney if their client takes all the right steps from the moment the slip and fall accident happened. Contact Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys for additional information on what the elements of a slip and fall in Texas are.
The following steps are essential:
Seeking immediate medical attention.
Reporting slip and fall accidents to the employer as soon as possible.
Gathering evidence.
Obtaining witness statements from colleagues.
Calling an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys Will Go to War for Injured Employees
Slip and fall accidents happen every day, but with a little more effort to ensure the safety and well-being of employees, they can be prevented. Victims who suffer injuries from slips, trips, and falls due to the negligence of others have the right to sue.
No matter the type of injuries, Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys in Dallas, Texas, will go to war for victims of slip and fall accidents. The law firm can be contacted for a free consultation.