Pennsylvania Slip, Trip, and Fall Information & Statistics
More than one million people visit hospital emergency rooms every year due to slip and fall accidents, according to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI). Slips, trips, and falls are the primary cause of lost days from work in the United States.
Many of the people who experience serious injuries from slip and fall incidents are the elderly. Additionally, falls are the second leading cause of death in people ages 65 to 84 and the leading cause of death for people over the age of 84.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
A slip and fall accident results in a PA premises liability claim that relies on proving the negligence of the property owner or manager. There are some common causes of slips, trips, and falls that can be controlled by the liable party, including:
- Dangerous flooring and other surfaces (e.g. wet floors, slippery or polished stone or tile, or loose mats or rugs)
- Uneven flooring (e.g. cracked sidewalks, loose floorboards, and carpeting with ripples or tears)
- Cluttered walkways with obstacles
- Environmental conditions (e.g. inclement weather, icy sidewalks and parking lots, or snow and rain)
- Poor lighting making it difficult to see obstacles
- Defective staircases and handrails
- Lack of workplace training
- Lack of grab bars or handicapped rails
- Failure of nursing home staff to care for unstable elderly patients
Property owners and premises residents have a responsibility to maintain property in a safe manner and warn certain visitors of any dangerous circumstances.
Common Slip and Fall Injuries in Lancaster
Most fall injuries happen at ground level and involve slipping or tripping. Many of those slip and falls result in serious injuries or even death. In fact, according to the NFSI, half of all accidental deaths that occur at home are caused by a fall. In addition to fatal injuries, some of the other severe injuries common in slip and fall accidents include:
Broken Bones
The force of a fall can easily break bones, especially in older adults or those with weaker bones. Hips, wrists, arms, ankles, and ribs are among the most commonly broken bones in slip and fall accidents.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
A TBI can occur even if you don’t hit your head directly in a fall. Symptoms of a TBI can range from mild (headache, dizziness) to severe (coma, loss of consciousness).
Soft Tissue Injuries
These include sprains, strains, and bruises. While they may not be as serious as broken bones or TBIs, soft tissue injuries can still be quite painful and debilitating.
Spinal Cord Injuries
These are some of the most serious injuries that can result from a slip and fall. Spinal cord injuries can cause permanent paralysis or other neurological problems.
Neck Injuries
Whiplash is a common neck injury that can occur in a slip and fall accident. Whiplash can cause pain, stiffness, and headaches.
Chronic Pain
Even if you don’t sustain a major injury in a slip and fall, you may experience chronic pain for weeks, months, or even years after the accident.
Who Is Liable for a Slip and Fall Accident in Pennsylvania?
In general, the property owner or occupant can be held liable for a slip and fall accident if their negligence caused the hazard that led to your fall and injuries. This area of law is called premises liability.
Elements to Prove Liability
To prove liability in a slip and fall accident, you’ll need to establish four main elements:
- Duty of Care: The property owner or occupant owed you a duty to keep you safe. This duty varies depending on your legal status on the property. For instance, business owners owe a higher duty of care to invited customers than to trespassers.
- Breach of Duty: The property owner or occupant failed to uphold their duty of care. This could mean creating the hazard, failing to fix a known hazard, or not adequately warning about a dangerous condition.
- Causation: The property owner or occupant’s breach of duty directly caused your slip and fall accident. The fall wouldn’t have happened otherwise.
- Damages: You suffered injuries or losses because of the fall. This could include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.
Possible Compensation for a Slip and Fall Accident Injury Claim
You can recover compensation for economic (monetary losses) and non-economic (intangible losses) damages after a slip and fall accident that is caused by someone else. Those damages may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and medical equipment costs
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Wrongful Death Damages for Slip and Fall Accidents in Pennsylvania
Deaths are not uncommon in slip and fall accidents. If your loved one did pass away after a slip, trip, or fall, then your family may be able to recover compensation for their wrongful death. Damages would cover funeral expenses, burial costs, and lost financial compensation the decedent would have provided to your family. Additionally, you may be able to recover for grief, sorrow, and loss of companionship that you have experienced.
A slip and fall attorney can explain Pennsylvania’s wrongful death statute and survival laws and how they can support your claim.
How To Prevent Slip and Fall Accidents
there are many things you can do to prevent them from happening to you in the first place. Here are some key steps to take:
- Watch Your Step: Be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to the walking surface. Look out for wet floors, uneven sidewalks, or obstacles that could cause you to trip. This is especially important in unfamiliar environments.
- Weather Awareness: Exercise extra caution when walking on icy sidewalks or in snowy conditions. Wear shoes or boots with good traction and take short, shuffling steps for better stability.
- Proper Footwear: Choose shoes with good tread for the conditions. Avoid sandals or flip-flops in wet or icy weather.
- Mind the Lighting: If possible, avoid poorly lit areas where you might not see potential hazards.
Are You the Victim of a Slip and Fall Accident? Call Atlee Hall Today
Atlee Hall has extensive experience fighting for the rights of clients who have been harmed due to the negligence of others in Pennsylvania. Contact us today at 717-393-9596 for a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers in Lancaster.
Areas We Serve
Our slip and fall lawyers in Pennsylvania are based in Lancaster, but we take cases across the state as far west as Allegheny County.
Where Were You Injured?
- Lancaster County
- York County
- Dauphin County
- Adams County
- Columbia County
- Cumberland County
- Juniata County
- Lebanon County
- Luzerne County
- Lycoming County
- Mifflin County
- Montour County
- North Umberland County
- Perry County
- Schuylkill County
- Snyder County
- Union County
