Slip, Trips, and Falls

Falls are often the result of hazardous and unexpected conditions. Was the stairway constructed to “code?” Was the ramp too slippery or excessively steep? Were handrails properly placed? Was the parking lot lighting sufficient?

 

Falls occur for many different reasons. While most everyone can visualize the anecdotal example of a slip on a banana peel,falls may originate from other, very common causes, often beyond the scope of the injured party. People trip on broken sidewalks, slip on wet (and dry) floors. Trips over parking lot speedbumps and wheelstops (aka parking bumpers) often resulting in significant injuries. While these defects should be 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 those used by disabled persons but nearly all commercial and many multi-family residential sites! The Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA applies to most commercial establishments and establishes not only equal rights protection for disabled persons but also mandates safety standards to be used in building design, construction, and maintenance without reagard to a person’s specific disability. Similar federal laws apply to many multi-family dwellings (apartment buildings, condominiums, townhomes, etc.)