Articles Posted in Slip and Fall Accidents

Florida slip and fall accidents are a common source of injuries, especially among the elderly. For business owners, slip and fall accidents also pose a serious risk of lawsuits. Many businesses have plenty of foot traffic. Stores and offices, for example, may serve dozens or even hundreds of visitors and customers daily. If one of these customers slips and falls, a common result is a Florida premises liability claim. Slip and fall accidents can cause broken bones, Florida brain injuries, back injuries, and other serious injuries. For business owners lawsuits from premises liability claims can result in increased insurance costs as well as expensive litigation.

Many Florida slip and fall accidents are caused when solid or liquid substances find their way to the floors. In restaurants and grocery stores, for example, a common hazard is spilled food. Even in cases where food is spilled by a customer, the business owner may be held liable if another customer slips and falls due to the spill. This is because for the purposes of the law, it is understood that the business owner invites customers onto the property in order to conduct business. Therefore, the business owner has a legal obligation to protect this “invitee” from dangers.

In general, a business owner may be found liable for personal injury on a business property if:

1) it can be shown that the business owner should reasonably know or does know of a dangerous condition which might be a risk to invitees;
2) it can be shown that the business owner should know that invitees will not be able to notice the hazard or will not guard against the hazard;
3) it can be shown that the business owner did not take reasonable precautions to protect invitees.

Under new Florida laws, the plaintiff is responsible for proving that a business owner knew of a hazard on the property. However, it is still assumed that business owners will take reasonable care in Florida to keep their premises safe. There are many ways that business owners can keep their premises safe from lawsuits and keep their customers safe from injuries:

1) Run regular checks of the premises. In many cases, businesses can protect themselves by running regular checks of their premises specifically to check for dangers. Keeping the outcomes of these checks in writing helps provide an additional layer of protection, as it shows that a business owner is serious about keeping the premises safe. Another option is to have a formal complaint system in place, so that if a customer complains about a possible issue, it can be resolve quickly, before an injury takes place.

2) Take precautions against common dangers. In many cases, accidents are predictable. If there is a swimming pool on a business premises, for example, the possibility of swimming pool accidents is present. If a business owner serves food or drink, there is the possibility of spills. Noting common dangers and creating formal, written policies to help guard against these dangers is a savvy move for business owners. For example, business owners running a bar or café may wish to schedule regular clean-ups of the floor or have a formal policy in place for employees to check and clean up any spills.

3) Post warning signs where needed. In some cases, removing hazards is just not viable. For example, many Florida slip and fall accidents are caused by stairs and uneveneness in floor surfaces. Due to structural design, removing these dangers may not be possible or viable. If this is the case, business owners will want to post clearly visible warning signs, alerting customers of the danger.

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At this time of year, it’s time to consider Florida slip and fall accidents again. Although Florida does not have the snow and ice which cause many slip and fall accidents and injuries across the country, there are still many reasons why this season tends to see a higher rate of such accidents. Wetter weather can create ripe conditions for falls, for example. As well, many Florida residents are out and about at this time of year, visiting friends and shopping for the holidays. More pedestrian traffic means more risks of Florida pedestrian accidents but also more risks for slip and fall injuries.

Thankfully, in many cases, Florida slip and fall injuries result merely in embarrassment. However, many such accidents result in Florida brain injuries, broken bones, and other serious injuries. Unfortunately, seniors are most at risk for slip and fall injuries and they are also most at risk for serious injuries resulting from these accidents. Due to medications and decreased motor functions, some elderly Florida residents may be more prone to falls. At the same time, osteoporosis and other age-related illnesses make injuries from falls more serious.

There are many things you can do to help prevent Florida slip and fall injuries this season:

1) Pay close attention to elderly relatives. Check up on elderly relatives. If they need eyeglasses or are taking new medication, have them speak with a doctor to help prevent injury and falls. Make sure your elderly loved ones have sturdy shoes for the winter and walkers or canes for stability if they need them. If you have elderly family members visiting you this season, check your home to ensure that your home is free of slip and fall injury risks. As well, when your elderly loved ones arrive, consider helping them into your home to help them navigate walkways and driveways successfully.

2) Take a close look at your property. Is it well-lit? Do you have a leaky gutter or pipe that’s causing pools of water to form on your walkways? Do you have uneven paving stones or asphalt on your yard? Now is the time to fix these problems – before an injury happens. If you cannot easily fix a problem, at least create added signage to alert visitors. For example, if your walkway is uneven and you cannot repave before the holidays, add reflective tape or caution signs to keep everyone safe.

3) Take a close look at your place of work. Slip and fall accidents can just as easily occur at work and result in many Florida workers compensation claims each year – not to mention serious injuries. Take a look around your workplace for any hazards and report them to your employer or manager so that they can be fixed.

4) Reduce the risk of indoor slip and fall accidents. It’s not just wet leaves and water outside that can cause accidents. Indoor obstacles can also result in slip and fall accidents. In fact, many Florida slip and fall accidents take place inside the home. You can help prevent such accidents by keeping your floors clear of obstacles and well-treaded. Add stick-on treads to slippery floor areas and ensure that carpets and rugs are well-secured. Add grab bars in the bathroom, as well – the bathroom is one of the most common sites of injuries.

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At least one report suggests that serious slip and fall accidents are rising among seniors. The report, out of St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, suggests that serious slip and fall accidents account for 71% of all hospitalizations among the elderly. Over the past few years, researchers say, there has been a 16% increase in the number of severe personal injuries stemming from slip and fall accidents among seniors. At the Toronto hospital, between 30% and 40% of trauma patients are seniors.

Although the report is based out of Canada, it could have significant findings for Florida slip and fall rates, too. According to researchers in Toronto, the reason for the increase in serious slip and fall accidents comes down to two factors: an elderly population that is remaining active and a population that is aging. Both risk factors are present in Florida. Florida has a graying population (especially in the winter, when many Snowbirds arrive in the state) and many seniors in Florida avail themselves of the opportunities Florida offers to remain active for health reasons. According to researchers, this may be a recipe for more Florida slip and fall accidents.

Seniors today are able to enjoy longer and healthier lives, thanks to advances in medical technology, say researchers. New treatment for lung disease, heart disease, and other conditions mean that the elderly can stay more active. An increased awareness of an active lifestyle is also propelling many seniors to stay physically more active. While this can be positive, it can also increase the risk of slip and fall injuries.

For the elderly, Florida slip and fall accidents are all too often more than just hurtful to pride. Many Florida spinal cord injuries and brain injuries as well as broken bones among the elderly occur due to a slip and fall accidents. Loss of coordination, osteoporosis, and other age-related conditions can make the elderly more susceptible to serious injuries as a result of falls. According to researchers, certain medications that seniors take can also exacerbate the injuries possible in a slip and fall accident. For example, blood thinners and other medications can increase the risk of bleeding around the brain after a slip and fall accident.

Researchers point out that many things can be done to reduce accidents for seniors – and the tips are applicable to helping prevent Florida slip and fall accidents as well. Researchers note that reducing clutter in the home, improving lighting in the home, and more awareness of medication side effects are good ways to help prevent many accidents. As well, regular medical care can help target conditions – such as poor eyesight – which can contribute to falls in an aging population.

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If you have been in a slip and fall accident, you will want to start documenting the accident as soon as you are able to do so. Taking note of the details of your accident and noting the details are of your injury as well as the conditions of your accident are crucial in helping your attorney seek a settlement on your behalf if you decide to seek legal action. Seeking proof of your injury and the conditions that cause it can also be important when filing an insurance claim. It is especially important if you have sustained a serious injury, such as a broken bone, head injury, or other serious injury as a result of your fault. Among the things you will want documents are:

1) Weather conditions at the time of your accident. Weather conditions are rapidly changing. As soon as possible after accident, detail exactly what the weather conditions were like. Whether the conditions were slippery, icy, rainy, or clear can have a profound impact on your case.

2) Details about what you were wearing. Note what you were wearing on your feet as well as the clothing you were wearing on the day of your accident. If possible, put these items aside for examination. The tread on your shoes, the fit of your clothes, and whether your clothes loose or tight-fitting can be important clues in determining how the accident happened. Also, make sure that your note whether you wear glasses or contact lenses and whether you were wearing your contact lenses or glasses at the time of the accident. These are all clues and can impact your case.

At this time of year, slip and fall injuries are unfortunately more common. We are all a little bit more rushed, and running around trying to accomplish all our last minute holiday errands. Wet weather and darker days can also contribute to slip and fall injuries. Ornaments and decorations can also pose trip hazards if they are placed on the ground.

While many of us harm nothing but our pride when we fall, slip and fall injuries can have serious consequences. For the elderly, they can mean broken bones or broken hips. For everyone they can result in head injuries and other serious personal injuries. If a guest or visitor in your home trips and falls on your property, you could also face premises liability issues. Everyone wants to have a safe holiday, and that means no falls. According to experts, there are several things that you can do to help prevent slip and fall accidents for yourself and your loved ones this holiday season:

1) Keep things tidy. Although this time of year is hectic, it’s important to continue tidying up. If there is a rainfall or if a puddle forms on your property, be sure to clean up the spill. Be sure that any wrapping paper or wrapping products are cleaned up after you have assembled your holiday gifts. If you are storing gifts underneath a holiday tree, ensure that the gifts are well tucked under the tree and do not pose a tripping hazard.

In the fall, fallen leaves and more rain can lead to more slip and fall injuries. These injuries can break bones, cause brain injuries, and expose you to premises liability suits. Here’s how to avoid slip and fall accidents on your property and elsewhere:

1) Make your property safe with lights and proper fall maintenance. Shorter days in the fall can mean less visibility, while leaves and pools of water can mean a slippery risk. Install lights near walkways at your home and ensure that they are on at dusk. Set up a fall property maintenance schedule to keep your yard free of leaves and debris.

2) Avoid walking on leaves. When you are out walking, avoid piles of leaves. While they may be tempting, they can be slippery and can contain hidden obstacles that trip you up.

According to the Florida Department of Health, accidental falls and trip and fall accidents are a main cause of personal injury and fatalities for elderly Florida residents. The agency reports that unintentional falls are a major cause of death, injury and disability for state residents who are over 64 years old. In 2007 alone, about 53 000 elderly Florida residents required medical treatment or a hospital stay following a fall. That same year, about 1 700 Florida residents were killed as a result of a fall.

Many elderly Florida residents are fearful of slip and fall accidents and many caregivers to the elderly are worried about unintentional falls as a major cause of injury. Luckily, experts know that there are many things that can be done to prevent such accidents. In fact, it is essential to prevent unintentional falls in the elderly, as these falls can lead to serious injury. According to the Florida Department of Health, 25% of fatalities associated with slip and fall accidents among the elderly were linked to hip fractures. Another 52% of slip and fall accidents among the elderly led to brain injury and fatalities.

According to experts, most slip and fall accidents occur close to home or at home. Most commonly, these accidents occur when an elderly person is standing or walking and trips, slips, or tumbles. However, falls from ladders, beds, stairs, and steps are also quite common.

For many of us, slip and fall injuries are nothing more than a simple embarrassment. We dust ourselves off, look sheepish, and walk away. For some of us, though, a simple slip and fall could lead to a serous brain injury. The greatest risk of falling, in fact, is that you will hit your had on the way down.

The tricky thing about brain injuries is that they range widely. Some people who sustain a brain injury get a mild concussion that can be managed with medical supervision. Others sustain a more serious injury that results in a large hemorrhage and a fatality. Researchers have now found that head injuries are a main cause of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, so we might not even see the effects of a brain injury for many years to come.

Force obviously affects how serious your brain injury is. If you fall very suddenly and do not break your fall, your head may hit the ground with greater force and you may sustain a more dangerous brain injury. If you fall from a greater height – from a roof or ladder, for example – your fall will reach a greater velocity and you will hit the ground with more force, causing a worse injury, potentially. Where you fall will also make a big impact. Falling so that your head hits the pavement or a rock will generally mean a more severe brain injury than falling on grass.

Your pool can be a place of fun and relaxation, but it also poses hazards. In addition to the potential for drowning, pools also pose a slip and fall danger. As any child knows, wet surfaces are slippery, and pools often are surrounded by water caused by inevitable splashes. Slipping and falling by the pool can lead to brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and other serious injuries. Here’s how you can prevent pool-side falls:

1) If your pool springs a leak, have it cleaned right away. A leaking pool creates many slick surfaces, all of which pose a slip and fall hazard. Close off the pool area until the leak is fixed.

2) Do not permit running in the pool area. Children, especially, can get carried away by the pool and can run by the pool. Running increases the odds of slipping significantly, so have everyone be a little more careful around the pool area.

Many of us associate slip and fall injuries with wet winter months, but in fact the summer can pose a number of tripping hazards:

1) Overgrown plants, weeds, and hedges. Trailing weeds and plants can be a slip and fall hazard and can lead to serious personal injuries such as head injuries, broken bones and other serious problems. Always keep plants well cut and make sure that walkways, stairs, and sidewalks are clear.

2) Wet leaves. Wet leaves and grass cuttings quickly become slippery and dangerous. After raking or mowing your yard, always store leaves and cuttings in a compost pile or in a plastic bag for disposal.