Slip and fall accidents occur in Indiana in various scenarios. They can happen on both public and private property, including at work. Below are some of the most common hazards that lead to injuries in office environments and other workplaces.
Stairways
One of the most common locations for a slip and fall accident is a staircase. Regardless of whether the stairs are carpeted or not, it is easy to not clear a step or only land on a heel instead of the entire bottom foot. The primary fear with stairway accidents is falling down from atop the steps, but falling backward while walking up can be very serious as well.
Wet and cluttered floors
Another common location where a slip and fall accident could occur is in a narrow or cluttered walkway. Not only can obstacles be a problem, but wet flooring can be especially hazardous. Wet floors tend to be more prominent in certain locations like grocery or department stores, but they are also common accident locations at work when water or industrial materials leak or spill into areas where employees work.
Carpeting and furniture
Many times, the hazard is not necessarily the walkway itself but furniture that can cause someone to trip, such as a rug or a tattered carpet area where footwear can get caught. These accidents can result in a victim falling forward or backward, and head injuries can be very common when there is nothing to help break the fall.
It is important to remember that comparative negligence can be a central defense to any slip and fall injury claim, such as the type of footwear being worn by the victim. Personal contribution to causation can matter when claims are strongly contested by the insurer being asked to pay out for medical expenses.
