Joshua P. Myers | June 20, 2022 | Premises Liability
People are injured in fall accidents every day. Sadly, both “trip and fall” accidents and “slip and fall” accidents are incredibly common. These mishaps can be dangerous, leading to severe injury and long-term disability.
In everyday terms, these two types of falling accidents are often thought to be the same. But the distinction between a “slip and fall” accident and a “trip and fall” accident is very important in personal injury legal claims.
These two types of accidents usually cause different kinds of injuries. The trip-versus-slip distinction can be crucial if you seek financial compensation for a falling accident injury.
Trip and slip accidents can occur in retail stores, workplaces, nursing homes, and on the street. You may be entitled to compensation if you slipped or tripped due to unsafe conditions on another party’s property?
Here, we will examine some of the differences between these two common types of falling accidents.
Defining a Slip and Fall Accident
“Slip and fall” accidents occur when a victim falls because they are standing or walking on an unexpectedly slippery surface. When a surface is slicker than the person expects, they can lose traction and fall.
Some common examples of surfaces that can be unexpectedly slippery include:
- Hard floor surfaces (including hardwood) that have been cleaned or waxed recently
- Hard floor surfaces that are moist or wet from a leak, spill, or other uncontained liquid
- Floors with carpet that features a low coefficient of friction
- Hard surfaces that have gathered condensation
It is reasonable to expect certain types of standing areas to be slippery, such as the surface of an ice rink. But other flooring and surfaces may be unpredictably slick. In these cases, a slip and fall accident becomes more likely.
Common Slip and Fall Injuries
Often, in a slip and fall accident, the person’s foot slides forward in an unexpected manner. This can cause them to lose their balance. This type of fall usually results in the victim’s torso and head going back while their feet slide forward.
Some of the most common injuries include:
- Sprained Ankle
- Sprained Wrist
- Dislocated Shoulder
- Brain Injury
- Nerve and Spinal Damage
If you suffered one of these injuries after a fall, you could be eligible for compensation. The property owner may owe you money for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.
Defining a Trip and Fall Accident
Trip and fall accidents happen when an object is obstructing the victim’s path, and they can’t bring their foot over it quickly enough to regain their balance. After catching their foot on an unexpected impediment, the person is unable to stop themselves from falling forward.
Common scenarios that result in trips and falls include:
- Unexpected elevation differences between surfaces – including street and sidewalk levels, unusual stair height, changes in interior flooring levels, etc.
- Uneven, cracked, or broken stones or pavement – such as those on sidewalks, streets, and walkways
- Elevated door thresholds between interior rooms
- Obstructions negligently left in walkways – including brooms, ropes, buckets, boxes, electrical cords, and other materials
Usually, trip and fall accidents occur when a victim fails to see the object that is obstructing their path. When the victim’s foot catches on the object or height disparity, they fall forward.
Common Trip and Fall Injuries
Trips and falls typically result in a different falling angle than do slips and falls. Because of this, they usually result in distinct types of injuries.
These include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Neck injuries
- Foot injuries
- Cuts, lacerations, and abrasions
Although some injuries are more serious than others, it is vital to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you have been injured in a falling accident.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney for Help with an Injury Claim
Property owners are supposed to keep their premises reasonably safe for guests. That requires them to fix dangerous conditions on their property or warn guests about them. If you slipped or tripped due to dangerous conditions on another party’s property, you may have an injury claim. Contact Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. We’ll listen to your story and help you identify your legal options for recovering compensation.
If you’ve been injured in a slip & fall accident, please contact Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today:
St. Louis, MO Law Office
1430 Washington Ave Ste 225, St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 444-4444
Ladue, MO Law Office
9807 S 40 Dr, St. Louis, MO 63124
Columbia, MO Law Office
28 N 8th St # 502, Columbia, MO 65201
Creve Coeur, MO Law Office
999 Executive Pkwy Dr #205, Creve Coeur, MO 63141
