There are many causes for trips, slips and falls. While some falls may be only a source of embarrassment, many people are seriously injured every year in Florida due to slip-and-fall accidents. A broken hip, cracked kneecap or snapped ankle are all possible outcomes.
Your rights after a serious fall
Don’t let embarrassment or self-blaming keep you from seeking financial recovery after a fall. Injury victims have rights to payment of their medical expenses and other losses if someone else is at fault for their injuries. A municipality or business owner may be held responsible if you are injured on their property because of unsafe conditions.
Common causes of outdoor slip-and-fall accidents
As Florida transitions into winter, the cooler weather allows more people to get outside for exercise and to do errands on foot. When walking outdoors, you are probably paying special attention to traffic, especially when crossing a street or making your way through a crowed parking lot. Unfortunately, this can take your eyes off where you are stepping.
While there is no shortage of causes of outdoor slip-and-fall accidents, these are among the most common:
- Defective sidewalks: From cracks to an uneven surface, sidewalks can often be defective. For example, if one block is an inch or two higher than another, it’s a tripping hazard.
- Potholes: Maintaining roads and parking lots is an on-going chore for cities, states and business property owners. If you unsuspectingly step into a pothole, you could lose your balance and fall to the ground. And even if you don’t, it’s possible to twist or break your ankle.
- Inadequate lighting: Walking after dark has its own risks as well. You need to be able to see where you’re going. But if a parking lot owner doesn’t provide adequate lighting or a light is burned out at street intersection, obstacles are hard to see.
If you have suffered due to a slip, trip or fall, learn more about your legal rights for holding the negligent property owner responsible for your injury and subsequent expenses.