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Common causes of trip-and-fall accidents

Jul 26, 2019 | Blog, Industrial Accident, Injuries, Premises Liability

Home » Common causes of trip-and-fall accidents

Slip and Fall Lawyer, O'Fallon, ILTrip-and-fall accidents are sadly common. Falls account for millions of emergency room visits every year. Fall accidents commonly cause brain injuries, hip fractures and spinal cord injuries. As injury lawyers in O’Fallon, IL we are all too familiar with these kinds of accidents.

If you trip and fall because of a dangerous condition, you may be able to hold the property owner liable with a personal injury lawsuit. Here are a few of the most common culprits for trip-and-fall injuries.

Cords, wires and hoses

Various establishments rely on cords, wires and hoses for normal operations. But wires in an office or a hose in a garden can cause you to trip. Property owners should use cord protectors or run wires overhead to reduce these dangers.

Insufficient lighting

Proper sight is necessary to avoid hazards. If you walk through a poorly lit area, you are more likely to stumble over something. Inadequate lighting may act as a basis for a premises liability claim.

Inconsistent flooring

Whenever flooring changes, such as from linoleum to carpet, you risk tripping. Even thresholds and cracks in floors can pose tripping risks. Property owners should keep surfaces in good condition and provide warnings when anything changes.

Carpets and rugs with curling corners

A rug or carpet that curls up is not just an eyesore, it is also a tripping hazard. Double-sided tape is an easy solution to keep people safe.

Stairs

There are many ways in which a stairway can be unsafe. For example, if there are no handrails, it is much easier to trip and fall. Another hazardous condition is stairs in disrepair. It is the responsibility of all property owners to ensure their stairs are safe for use.

Parking lots

When you walk through a parking lot, you may encounter large holes and cracks. Additionally, there may be significant differences in height from one part of the lot to another. Parking lot owners should fill in cracks and holes and make height differences gradual.

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