3 factors that may increase the risk of slip-and-fall accidents

Perhaps the most concerning aspect of slip-and-fall accidents is that they can happen to anyone in almost any setting. Furthermore, the potential injuries that result from a fall may be catastrophic.

Frequently, slip-and-fall accidents may have been preventable. Part of the process of understanding how to prevent such accidents is recognizing some of the common risk factors. Outlined below are the factors that may increase the risk of slip-and-fall accidents:

Inappropriate footwear

Different footwear is purposely made for certain terrain and environments. A fall may result from simply opting to wear footwear that is improper for the given situation. In fact, some studies indicate that up to 25% of slip-and-fall accidents occur through wearing the wrong footwear. Adopting the correct footwear for a given scenario could greatly improve your safety.

The weather conditions

As summer closes there may be a higher potential for slip-and-fall accidents. Frequently, slips occur due to wet surfaces, which can originate through rainfall. As a result, it may be worth paying special attention to the surface you are approaching and taking care if there is evidence of any lying water.

Uneven and cluttered floor surfaces

Not only are wet floor surfaces a serious safety concern, walking spaces that are cluttered or uneven increase the chances of an accident. Additionally, pavements and pathways that contain cracks could pose a risk of a pedestrian falling over. In fact, hazardous floor surfaces account for approximately 55% of slip-and-fall accidents.

Slip-and-fall accidents have the potential to affect anyone. As a result, it is worth considering their common causes as well as methods of prevention. If you have been injured in an accident, it could be in your best interests to assess your legal rights.