In general terms, “slip and fall” or “trip and fall” accidents are where a person is is injured by slipping or tripping and falling due to a dangerous condition on the premises. Falls can happen inside or outside a building, and be caused by such conditions as uneven floors, debris on floors, poor lighting, potholes, ice, snow, or other hidden hazards.
Although falls are most common in people over age 65, anyone can have a falling accident. In fact, statistics from the National Safety Council show falls as the leading cause of nonfatal injuries treated in the emergency room, with nearly 8 million people treated for fall related injuries in 2001. In 2002, 14,500 people died from falls from one level to another or on the same level.
Studies show that 60 percent of all falls are related to a slipping or tripping incident, with such likely causes as a foreign object on the walking surface, a design flaw in the walking surface, a slippery surface caused by weather or a spill, or a person’s impaired physical or mental condition.
