Slipping on a banana peel and falling into a river are common occurrences in the animated world. In the real world, slips and falls can be incredibly dangerous, sometimes even leading to severe injuries or lifelong disabilities. In this piece, we’ll explore the most common causes of falls, what injuries result from them, and how you can contact a New York slip and fall lawyer.
Street Hazards
Sidewalk ice and snow are among the most notorious sources of slips and fall in New York, according to injury lawyers in NYC. In the case of black ice, it’s particularly difficult to see these nearly invisible patches of ice on sidewalks and streets until it’s too late and you’re on the way down. Winter is especially harsh in the city, where hard sidewalks ice up faster, so take care when walking outside during the colder months.
Construction sites pose dangerous tripping obstacles as well. Debris, tools, wires and materials are abound, both within the boundaries of the construction site, and on the surround sidewalks and streets. Be cautious of these construction materials when walking near these sites, even on the surrounding sidewalks.
Potholes are also a source of danger to pedestrians crossing the street. But just because someone trips and falls due to an unfilled pothole, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they have a viable personal injury lawsuit. It must be shown that the City or private landowner responsible for that area knew, or should have known, about the pothole, before the accident happened. That makes it especially important to speak to an experienced Personal Injury Attorney as soon as possible.
Indoor Dangers
Walking about on the streets is dangerous enough, but, statistically speaking, tripping or slipping indoors poses just as much of a danger. This is especially true for the service industry, which accounts for more than 60 percent of all slip and fall injuries. Manufacturing buildings contribute a notable 16 percent.
What’s so dangerous about walking around indoors? Uncarpeted floors, combined with spilled, or intentionally placed, liquids, create a dangerous and slippery combination. Common causes of indoor slip and falls include newly mopped floors, spills on stairways, wet bathrooms, and more.
Indoor locations can contain plenty obstacles causing trips, too, whether you’re in a salon or a club. Broken or malfunctioning escalators and stairs also catch people by surprise. Even plain old carpets that are not flat to the ground cause many falls.
Elevated and Same-Level Falls
There are two main types of trip or slip and falls. The first involves slipping or tripping while walking on an even, flat surface. The second involves slipping or tripping while walking up or down stairs, ramps, or other sloped surfaces.
Due to the risk of falling from a height, slips or trips in the second category often lead to particularly serious injuries. But unfortunately, falling on a flat surface can have equally detrimental consequences.
A total of 20 to 30 percent of flip and fall victims obtain moderate to severe injuries. These include fractured bones, torn ligaments and tendons, and head trauma, often requiring surgery and physical therapy.
Injuries from slip or trip and falls can be, thankfully, minor. But unfortunately, falling to the ground often causes significant, long-term, permanent injuries. If you or someone you care about has been injured by a slip or trip and fall, contact The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. to get legal counsel from an experienced New York personal injury attorney at 212-980-0404.