Slip-and-fall accidents are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and account for approximately 40 percent of all TBI-related emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the U.S.
5 Ways to Avoid Slip and Fall Injuries
Summer is finally here – a time for relaxing, enjoying the warm weather, taking a trip, and…sustaining an injury?
Although people usually associate slip and fall injuries with wintertime, when snow and ice make surfaces slippery and walking more treacherous. But there are many conditions present during the summer that can also put people at risk for injury.
Slip and fall accidents are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and account for approximately 40 percent of all TBI-related emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Here are some ways you can stay on your feet and avoid injury during the summertime:
Know Your Surroundings
After spending a long winter holed up in your house, summer is the time to get out and spend some time outdoors. But outdoor activities often feature unfamiliar terrain, and it’s important to watch where you’re walking to avoid falling victim to a stray gardening tool, abandoned watering hose, or broken tree branch in your path.
Stay Safe Around the Pool
Swimming pools are a great way to beat the heat, whether you visit a community pool or the one in your neighbor’s backyard. But the surface surrounding the pool is often extremely slippery, and it is the responsibility of the pool owner to ensure that they have done everything possible to make their pool a safe place. You should always walk around the perimeter of a pool slowly, watching for hazards like wet towels, lawn chairs, and floaties that may have been strewn here and there, poised to cause a trip and fall accident.
Wear Secure Footwear
Summer is sandal season, and flip-flops and slides are everywhere. Although many people find these types of summer footwear comfortable, they are much less secure than other shoes and often have less grip to help prevent a slip and fall as well as less coverage to protect your feet should an accident occur. Always wear footwear that is appropriate for the occasion, be it hiking, touring, or hanging out at the beach.
Take Safety Measures
Summer slip and fall accidents can largely be prevented if the proper safety measures are taken. Property owners are required to take reasonable precautions to prevent known hazards, including repairing crumbling sidewalks, removing known obstructions, and ensuring that everyone present knows about wet floors and pavement.
Beware of Colorado’s Summer Storms
Rainy weather can also be a contributing factor in a summer slip and fall accident, as fast-moving storms can create hazards in the parking lots, entrances, stairways, aisles, and entrances of public places. If a walking area becomes slippery and hazardous and the property owner becomes aware of this risk, he needs to take steps to clean it up, rope it off, or warn visitors and if he does not, he will likely be held liable for any slip and fall injuries that occur on the premises.
Liability for Slip and Fall Injuries
While a slip and fall injury may seem purely accidental and nobody’s fault, a third party could be held liable if they:
- Failed to adequately maintain the property.
- Negligently installed flooring, carpeting, or another surface.
- Manufactured or designed flooring materials in a faulty manner.
- Failed to warn of slippery or hazardous conditions.
Contact an Experienced Colorado Personal Injury Attorney
If you’ve sustained a slip and fall injury due to another person’s negligence, contact an experienced Colorado personal injury attorney for legal advice and a free consultation.