Slips, trips and falls are responsible for a large majority of personal injury claims , with a simple slip being the most common type of injury within the workplace, home and elsewhere.
Due to poor housekeeping, negligence or simply being caught off guard slips, trips and falls easily happen and can cause serious injuries, including broken bones, back pain, deep lacerations, bruising, concussion and various muscle problems.
Slips, trips and falls can happen in a number of places, most commonly within the workplace, but also at home, outside of the home, and at schools.
There are countless ways in which a person’s negligence causes another to trip, slip, fall, be fallen on or otherwise suffer personal injury.
These factors include:
- Pavements being neglected and becoming dangerous: damaged and cracked pavements, potholes, etc.
- Slippery surfaces without warning: spillages, ice, or generally slippery floor surfaces.
- Dim or poor lighting: restricting a person’s ability to see objects and surroundings clearly.
- Neglected objects and rubbish: plastic bags, cables, wires, boxes.
Unsuitable floor surfaces: mats and rugs that have not been securely fitted, slopes that are without sufficient support (i.e. handrails)
Slips and trips predominantly occur within the workplace, but are just as likely and possible to happen in other public places, such as restaurants, bars, cinemas, schools, nurseries, sporting and other events, communal parts of residential buildings and so on.
