Slip and fall accidents are the biggest source of premises liability claims. Slips and falls account for more than one million hospital visits in the U.S. each year.

This type of accident occurs when someone slips or trips over a slippery or uneven surface or an obstacle in the walkway.

Some common causes of slip and fall or trip and fall accidents include:

• Wet or uneven surfaces
• Cluttered floors
• Loose or torn flooring material
• Defective Sidewalks
• Potholes in parking lots
• Poorly constructed staircases
• Poor lighting that makes it difficult to see obstacles
• Electrical cords running across walkways
• Open desk or cabinet drawers
• Transitions from one type of flooring to another, such as from wood to carpet
• Missing or broken handrails
• Snow or ice

While slip and fall accidents may seem like minor events, the injuries they cause can be quite serious, particularly for the elderly.

Some common injuries suffered in slip and fall accidents are:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury, according to information from the Mayo Clinic, particularly for older adults and young children. While a mild traumatic brain injury may cause temporary cell damage, a more severe injury can result in bruising, torn tissues, bleeding and other physical damage to the brain that can have long-lasting impacts on the sufferer’s life and can even result in death.
• Hip and other bone fractures: Fractures are among the most serious consequences of falls and are the result of about 5 percent of all falls, the National Floor Safety Institute notes. Hip fractures are the most serious of fall-related fractures, heavily impacting the elderly population. Falls are the second leading cause of injury-related death for those aged 65 – 85, and the leading cause of injury-related death for those over 85. 60 percent of the deaths caused by falls are among those who are 75 or older. Each year, 30 percent of the population over 65 will suffer a fall. Of those, 10 percent will result in serious injuries. Other common sites for bone fractures from falling include the wrists, from the falling person attempting to “catch” themselves with their hands.
• Ankle injuries: A twisted ankle from an uneven or slippery surface or improperly constructed staircase can cause a fall.
• Back and spinal cord injuries: The back is heavily relied on by the body for balance. When that balance is disrupted, back problems including spinal cord injuries, damaged vertebrae, bone fractures, or damage to the soft tissues may result. Tailbone injuries are frequently caused by individuals landing on their backsides during a fall.