Property Owner’s Responsibility For Slips & Falls
Posted on May 23rd, 2013 by Oddo & Babat, P.C.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, every 8 seconds someone is hurt by a slip and fall. The odds that you will have a slip and fall accident requiring medical attention in a given year are 1 in 35. Injuries sustained from this type of accident can range from minor scrapes and bruises to broken bones, fractures, head and spinal cord trauma or even death.
The CDC reports that falls account for nearly 8 million visits to the emergency room each year, or 33.3% of all visits. In 2011, falls were the number one cause of non-fatal injuries. Of these incidents, approximately 1 million involved slipping. Slips are often caused by insufficient friction between the ground and a person’s shoes as a result of a slick floor, spill or poor treading. A fall involves a complete loss of balance, sometimes from a platform higher than ground level.
In the United States, there are more than 21,000 fatalities each year as a result of slip and fall accidents. While injuries are equal among men and women, studies show that men are more likely to be involved in fatal accidents.
Seniors and children are more likely to be involved in a slip and fall accident. 40% of all nursing home admissions are a result of care needed after a fall, and approximately 2 million Americans over 65 are treated in emergency rooms annually after falling. They are the 6th leading cause of death among people over 70, with nearly 1,800 older Americans succumbing to injuries each year.
Slips & Falls in the Workplace
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that slips and falls are consistently in the top 4 causes of death in workplaces and in 2011 resulted in 58% of disabling injuries. Employees were forced to miss more than 30 days of work in 25% of these cases. Though slips and falls are not the most common cause of workplace fatalities, they are the cause of most work-related time off. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Organization, they cost employers an estimated $70 billion in compensation costs each year.
Workplace accidents are not the only instances where another party may be liable for damages. With any slip and fall that occurs in a public space such as a restaurant, store, hotel, etc. where the establishment has not provided safe conditions, a lawsuit may be pursued. Negligence in these cases includes slick or uneven floors, obstacles scattered in walking areas, poor lighting and failure to adequately remove hazards caused by weather.
When slips and falls are caused by a property owner’s failure to provide a safe environment for pedestrians or during performance at work, the victim should pursue compensation for any medical bills incurred. Wherever they happen, slips and falls can result in missed work, disability, the need for long-term care and pain and suffering damages that should be recovered.
Contact, Oddo & Babat to arrange an appointment with an experienced New York attorney to review the details of your case.
Article by Shea Bergesen for Lavery Design Associates, Ltd.
copyright 2013. This article may not be reproduced without permission from the author.
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