Conditions that Cause Slip and Falls in Stores

Slip and falls can happen anywhere, and these accidents can be surprisingly serious. When you head out shopping, you do not expect your safety to be in jeopardy. The fact is, however, that stores often harbor hidden slip-and-fall dangers. If you have been injured by a slip and fall in a retail store, consult with a knowledgeable Las Vegas personal injury lawyer today.

Slip and Fall Statistics

Slip and falls happen more often than you are probably aware, and these accidents can be quite serious. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) relays several significant statistics regarding slip and falls that include:

1. About 20 percent of all falls end in serious injuries like head injuries or broken bones.
2. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
3. Every year, more than 800,000 people in the United States are hospitalized as a result of a fall. 

Dangerous Walking Surfaces

Slip and fall accidents in stores are often due to dangerous walking surfaces, which can come in many different forms, such as:

1. Parking lots and outdoor walkways made slippery by inclement weather that is not adequately addressed
2. Parking lots and outdoor walkways that are uneven, cracked, buckled, or otherwise in poor condition
3. Parking lots and outdoor walkways that are riddled with debris
4. Entryways, aisles, and public areas that are made slippery by rain, ice, snow, and/or debris that’s tracked inside
5. Aisles and public areas that have worn, frayed, bunched, torn, or slippery flooring
6. Aisles and public areas with spills that go unchecked
7. Aisles and public areas with displays and/or other obstacles that cut into the walking space
8. Steps that are not clearly marked
9. Stairs with loose, frayed, torn, or bunched flooring and/or with missing or inadequate handrails

Any of these conditions – and many more – can lead to a serious slip and fall accident. 

Other Contributing Factors

While poorly kept grounds are often the cause of slip and falls, other factors can contribute. For example, inadequate lighting can render nearly any space dangerous. Further, stores that erect obstacles (such as piles of boxes or massive displays) that obscure customers’ views endanger their customers. 

After Your Slip and Fall

If you have fallen down in a store, it is only natural to be embarrassed and to want to downplay the entire episode. The fact is, however, that when you are doing business in a store, you have a reasonable expectation not to be harmed in the process. If the store does not take the necessary care to provide you with that reasonable level of safety, it should be responsible for your damages, which can be significant and may include all medical bills and lost earnings due to your injuries.

If You’ve Been Injured in a Slip and Fall, Call an Experienced Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer Today

A slip and fall can leave you seriously injured, but the dedicated personal injury attorneys at Breeden and Associates in Las Vegas are here to help. Our experienced legal team has the skill, knowledge, and commitment to help guide your claim toward its most positive resolution, so please contact us online or call us at (702) 819-7770 for more information today.