Key Facts
- Wet floors and ice walkways cause slip-and-fall incidents.
- A trip or fall occurs when an obstruction or uneven surface disrupts progress.
- The type of fall affects injuries and legal liability.
Defining Slip and Fall Accidents
Slick or unstable surfaces cause slip-and-fall incidents. Ice, spills, wet flooring, and loose carpets are common reasons. Loss of traction causes backward falls and back, head, and shoulder injuries. Property owners must prevent accidents by maintaining safety.
Understanding Trip and Fall Accidents
The loss of balance due to an object, uneven surface, or sudden elevation shift causes trip and fall accidents. Cracks, loose wires, potholes, and trash all cause walkway hazards. Trip and falls, unlike slip and falls, cause forward velocity and injuries to the hands, wrists, knees, and face.
Major Differences Between Slip and Fall and Trip and Fall
Trip and fall accidents differ from slip and fall accidents in their causes. Slip and falls are caused by slippery surfaces and happen backwards, while trip and falls are caused by obstacles. Slip and fall injuries cause back or head damage, whereas trip and fall injuries cause fractures and face injuries.
The evidence needed to show fault varies. For slip and fall claims, surveillance footage and cleaning records are used, whereas trip and fall claims require obstruction and maintenance records.
Slip-and-fall liability determination
Slip-and-fall liability depends on the property owner’s knowledge of hazards. If an owner failed to fix a long-standing problem, they may be accountable for injuries. To prove negligence, victims must present incident reports and maintenance records.
Proving Trip-and-Fall Fault
Trip and fall claims must prove that an impediment or uneven surface caused the accident. Property owners must maintain safe pedestrian paths. Photos and witness accounts show property owner negligence.
Slip and fall vs. trip and fall injuries
Backward falls in slip-and-fall accidents can cause concussions and whiplash. Trip and fall accidents induce forward falls that can cause sprains and fractures in the hands, wrists, and knees.
Slip-and-fall accidents: seeking legal help
Slip-and-fall victims must consult premises liability lawyers. Experienced attorneys can help gather evidence, establish fault, and negotiate with insurers for reimbursement.
FAQ
What is a slip and fall accident?
When someone loses traction on a slick surface, they fall and often injure their upper body.
What is a trip and fall accident?
When an impediment or uneven surface leads a person to lose balance and fall forward, they may be injured.
How can I prove slip-and-fall liability?
Liability requires proving that the property owner knew or should have known about the harmful state and failed to fix it.
What slip-and-fall injuries are common?
Slip and fall injuries often cause back, spine, and brain injuries such concussions and whiplash.
How can I prove trip-and-fall fault?
Proving culpability requires showing that an impediment or hazardous condition caused the fall and that the property owner failed to maintain safety.
