In the United States, over two million people are seen in the emergency room every year due to slip and fall accidents. Not all of them are due to someone’s negligence. There are times when slipping and falling can be the cause of nothing but clumsiness. But, if you believe that your slip and fall injury is due to the negligence of someone else, then you might have a personal injury case. 

A slip and fall attorney will say that these cases are based on the doctrine of negligence according to premises liability laws. Legally, when you own a property or residence, you must keep it free of hazards and safe for visitors. If you fail to uphold that duty, it can make you negligent and liable for any injuries that happen. 

Typically, the hazards that lead someone to slip and fall on the indoors differ from those conditions that pose a risk on the exterior of a building. Regardless of whether you slip and fall when you are inside versus outside, if you are injured due to negligence,  you are entitled to both economic and non-economic damages.



Potential hazards for slip and fall injuries indoors

Things that commonly cause people to fall when they are inside a building are:

● Floors - To reduce the risk of someone slipping and falling indoors, you should make sure that all stories are clear of debris, liquids, and oil that might make the walking surface slippery. Establishments that serve food are especially prone to these types of hazards.
● Stairs - Stairs should be equipped with a sturdy handrail, and if there are any potential risks associated with them like a lower step that is difficult to see, warning signs should be posted to call attention to any flaws.
● Escalators and elevators - The mechanical operations of both escalators and elevators increase the risk that someone will slip and fall. If there are objects that are sticking up or slickness on the treads of an escalator, that can make them highly dangerous. For elevators, making sure the mechanisms that run them are free of debris and regularly inspected to reduce any jerky movements that can lead to a slip and fall accident, is vital.

Things that commonly cause people to fall when they are outside are:

● Poor lighting conditions - Make sure that your property is well lit. If a visitor can’t see where they are going or what is under their feet, they are at high risk of losing their balance or slipping and falling

● Weather conditions - Things like sleet, rain, snow, and ice are all weather conditions that call for particular attention. Make sure that the sidewalk in front of your establishment is clean and bright. If necessary, use deicers to make sure that there is no ice formation that can pose a risk for those who are entering your place of business or property

● Sidewalks - The sidewalks that lead to your property or business are your responsibility to maintain. If the sidewalk does not belong to you, then it might not be your liability if someone slips and falls. But, for the sake of your reputation and to avoid injury, you should clear them to make them safer for visitors

● Parking lots and garages - Parking lots can pose a lot of hazards either from weather conditions,  uneven pavement, or oil spills that cars can leave behind. Make sure to have your parking lots and garages maintained and cleaned regularly to avoid a slip and fall injury. If there are uneven areas or potholes, address and fix them immediately to avoid liability.

Slip and fall injuries are one of the most prevalent types of personal injury lawsuits. To reduce the risk that someone will slip and fall either when they are indoor or outside of your establishment or home, take care to minimize any hazards when they exist, and take special precaution when things like weather conditions call for it. 

The best way to limit your liability is through prevention. If you are someone who has been in a slip and fall accident, regardless if it was outside or inside, if someone else is negligent due to not correctly maintaining their premises, you might be entitled to compensation.