When indoors, it’s not often that you think about injuring yourself in a slip-and-fall accident. You assume that you’ll stay upright, even if you are faced with unexpected circumstances. However, many people are injured in indoor slips and falls every year, often quite seriously. Brain injuries, broken hips, back injuries and more are quite possible.
Here are some of the top causes of slip-and-fall injuries:
- Wet spots: These can come about for many reasons, such as rainwater carried in from the outdoors, a leaky roof or a recent cleaning. The problem with wet spots is that you can’t always see them, which puts you at an even greater risk.
- Debris: This includes things such as paper, soda cans and work supplies (and that’s just the start). These items have a way of popping up when you least expect it.
- Faulty stairs: For example, if there are stairs in your office building, you may rely on them to travel from floor to floor. Unfortunately, there are faults that increase the risk of a slip and fall, such as a loose handrail, missing step or rounded step. It’s not always easy to pinpoint these things when all you’re trying to do is go up or down the stairs as quickly as possible.
One second you’re upright, but the next you’re lying on the floor in pain. It’s difficult to process what happened, so keep calm and focus on your injuries.
After you receive initial treatment and a proper diagnosis of your injuries, turn your attention to the cause of your slip-and-fall accident. You may realize that it was a direct result of another person’s negligence.