Most Common Types of Slip and Fall Accidents in Illinois
Catastrophic Injury,Personal Injury,Slip and Fall,Spinal Cord Injury - July 1, 2015 by Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates
Nobody wants to accept liability when people slip, fall and injure themselves, but if the accident was the result of another person’s negligence, then victims may be entitled to compensation. Falls are the main cause of injury-related hospitalizations, and many people – especially the elderly – suffer significant injuries including death because of these accidents.
According to Brain and Spinal Cord, slip and fall accidents account for 21 percent of all spinal injuries. They are also the second leading cause of paralysis.
Read on to learn about 7 types of slip and fall accidents:
Substances on the Floor
Slippery substances are the main cause of fall injuries in Chicago stores. Floors should not contain spilled liquids or other materials that can cause customers to slip and fall.
Failure to Warn of Slippery Floors
Chicago law states that proprietors must warn people of slippery floors. Visible signs should notify customers of a wet floor during cleaning and other maintenance tasks.
Structural Hazards
Tripping hazards are everywhere. From cracked cement to haphazard objects, steep slopes, unusual stairs or similar, it is the proprietor’s responsibility to perform structural maintenance and warn people of on-site hazards.
Lack of Handrails
Illinois law mandates that handrails be available near stairs, steps and ramps.
Insufficient Lighting
People need to see where they are going to spot warning signs and avoid tripping hazards, slippery floors and steps. Building codes require proprietors to provide sufficient lighting to prevent these accidents.
Excessive Surface Slipperiness
Some surfaces, such as glossy tiles and marble, are more slippery than others. Tiles placed where people walk should have ridged or roughened surfaces, especially where they may get wet, such as around pools and entrances.
Insufficient Door Protection
Most commercial doors contain a spring mechanism to close them behind people, but if this mechanism uses too much force, it can knock people over or slam into them. Adjusting this hardware for safety is the proprietor’s responsibility.
In the event of a slip and fall, victims should file an incident report and immediately seek medical attention – even if symptoms are not apparent. To find out if you may have a claim for premises liability, contact a Chicago slip and fall lawyer from Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates at (800)-985-1819. We can help you set you in the right direction with a free consultation.
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