On top of the fact that they can happen anywhere on virtually any type of private or public property, slips and falls can also stem from a wide variety of different hazards, most of which are not all that obvious even to people who are generally aware of their surroundings. A slipping or tripping hazard that led to you getting hurt in an unexpected fall can very often serve as the basis for civil litigation—but first things first, you will need to establish exactly what you slipped or tripped and fell over.
Understanding common causes of slips and falls in Tolleson can be an important early step towards effectively pursuing a slip and fall lawsuit and getting paid fairly for the injuries and losses you have sustained as a result of such an accident. Here are some of the hazards that our trusted local attorneys often help people like you take proactive legal action over.
Arguably the archetypal cause of slips and falls are unmarked wet spots on walking surfaces. These situations can easily lead to even the most sure-footed person losing their balance when they are least expecting it and suffering a serious injury in an ensuing fall. Beyond just spills in store aisles that have not been cleaned up or cordoned off, hazards like pooling rainwater, untreated ice, and even condensation on hot days are all common causes of slipping accidents in Tolleson and throughout Arizona.
Whether it is a frayed patch of carpeting, a broken floor tile or board, or a rug that is not secured to the floor it is covering, loose sections of flooring material are a common cause of slipping and tripping injuries nationwide. Along the same lines, something getting stuck under carpeting or bulging up from under floorboards or tiles can make for unstable walking surfaces that are more likely to result in someone accidentally falling.
If a staircase has uneven gaps between steps or differently sized steps in random places, it will not take much to misplace a foot and end up taking a dangerous tumble potentially all the way to the bottom of the stairs. Broken or missing handrails next to stairs and sloped walkways can be equally hazardous, especially for older adults who already may have trouble safely climbing or descending stairs.
Unsecured wires crossing over walking paths are an extremely dangerous and all-too-common cause of trip and fall accidents in Tolleson, especially in retail stores and workplaces. Likewise, leaving trash or debris in walkways makes it much more likely that someone will trip and be unable to steady themselves before they take a hard fall.
Finally, it may not be thought of in the same category as the other hazards listed above, but broken or missing lighting easily can—and often does—lead to injurious falls, virtually all of which stem from someone not being able to see exactly what is underfoot and misplacing that foot as a result.
Slipping or tripping when you are not expecting to can be a lot more dangerous than most people give it credit for, especially if you end up falling from a high height or onto a particularly unforgiving surface. While there is no practical way to eliminate your risk of getting injured in this way, knowing about common causes of slips and falls in Tolleson can be helpful at least in knowing what kinds of things to avoid while walking or moving through public spaces.
That said, if you were recently hurt in an accidental fall despite your best efforts and believe that a landowner’s misconduct is to blame, you have help available from dedicated legal counsel in enforcing your right to civil recovery. Call today to discuss your options.
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