Slip and fall accidents can happen anytime and anywhere, including in malls, apartments, hospitals and even in your workplace. These incidents may leave someone with life-threatening injuries and conditions. It can also result in lost wages, high medical bills, pain and suffering and low quality of life. To get rightful compensation after such an accident, a slip and fall lawyer in El Monte in California will ensure you receive the justice you deserve. The leading causes of these accidents include:
Uneven and wet walking surfaces
The most common global cause of tripping incidents is wet and uneven floors. Floors can become dangerously slippery if water, spills, and ice are left there. Moreover, if floors are constantly being waxed and cleaned, they can pose a danger to people. Other floor hazards include loose mats, defective sidewalks, worn out carpets, loose floorboards, cluttered floors, and parking lot potholes. Worn out carpets that protrude from the floor can catch your toe and cause an accident. Unfortunately, there are many public areas that have worn out carpets. Property owners should ensure the floors in their premises are dry, well-maintained and have warning signs when necessary.
Inadequate lighting
Inadequately lit premises and buildings hinder vision and make it difficult for people to move from one place to another. If customers and visitors sustain injuries from accidents as a result of inadequate lighting, the party at fault will be the business owner. Property and business owners should ensure walkways, staircases and sidewalks are properly lit to improve vision.
Broken handrails
Loose, broken, or missing handrails are hazardous and can lead to injuries. Handrails are important for supporting people who are walking on pavements and staircases. Moreover, narrow stairways can cause tripping. Staircases need to be inspected and properly maintained to prevent rounded or worn steps, loose carpeting, and loose handrails. Additionally, spilled liquid or debris that obstructs one’s path could also cause serious injuries and should be removed as soon as possible.
Inadequate training
Poorly trained employees may have accidents in their working environment while on duty. For example, construction workers must be properly trained on how to walk on the job sites and use the tools safely. If employees are poorly trained and sustain any injuries, the employer will be held liable for the damages.
Nursing home neglect
Aging and sick people have poor mobility and balance which increases their risk of getting into accidents. The staff has the responsibility of monitoring their patients’ movements and assisting them. Additionally, the institutions have the legal mandate to ensure the premises are safe for everyone.
Weather
This natural occurrence cannot be controlled. However, property owners should shovel sidewalks, salt walkways, and plough the streets during the winter season to reduce any accidents.
Conclusion
In many cases, the business or property owner is usually liable for any injuries that happen in their premises as a result of their negligence. Hazardous conditions include wet and uneven floors, broken handrails, inadequate lighting, cracked sidewalks, parting lots with potholes and inadequately training employees. If you have sustained injuries caused by a careless business owner, work with an attorney to get your rightful compensation.
