Falls can occur for many different reasons. Most everyone can visualize a slip on a banana peel; however, falls happen for other, very common reasons. People trip on broken sidewalks, slip on wet (and dry) floors. Trips over parking lot speedbumps and wheelstops (also known as parking bumpers) often result in injuries. While these are all well-known slip and trip hazards, for some reason property owners often ignore the safety of others by allowing slippery surfaces and tripping hazards underfoot.

   Walkway hazards are especially significant to elderly and disabled persons. The federal government has even mandated critical new building standards which apply not only to disabled persons but almost all commercial sites! This Act, known as the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA applies to most all commercial establishments. A similar federal law pertains to many multi-family complexes (apartment buildings, condominiums, townhomes, etc.)