Water, uneven sidewalks, slippery floors, defective stairs, and unpainted curbs are but a few hazards you may face says Philadelphia slip-fall lawyer Rand Spear
PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / April 23, 2017 / Slips that cause serious injuries can happen just about anywhere for a number of reasons. While they are more likely to happen outside in the winter because of snow and ice, a slip and fall can happen during any season indoors or outside says Philadelphia slip-fall lawyer Rand Spear.
Slips can occur on sidewalks, in government buildings, commercial properties and private residences. You just need to be at the wrong place at the wrong time to find yourself on the floor and injured. Here are some dangerous situations that can be caused by a building owner or manager who isn't taking the proper steps to keep people safe, according to EMC Insurance.
If you're inside a commercial business and shopping for what you need and want, you will often find stores are renovating, changing displays or employees are stocking items. If not done correctly this can cause problems for customers.
If objects are blocking a walking path or aisle and you try to walk over or around them it can cause you to fall.
There's no designated walking area marked off with bright tape or paint.
Sawdust on a smooth floor can create a slippery surface.
Power cords may run across walking areas without proper cord covers.
Even during warm weather water can be a problem on outside surfaces.
Downspouts can discharge water across walking surfaces if the water isn't channeled away or underneath.
Wooden or aluminum ramps and stairs without traction strips can be slippery when wet.
After entering a building on a rainy day visitors may shake off umbrellas inside the entrance, causing puddles. A building owner or manager should have umbrella bags available instead.
Stairs can be especially hazardous because you're not only falling but falling down stairs which can easily cause serious injuries.
Stairs missing handrails or handrails that aren't strong enough or run the full length of the stairs increase the risk of a trip and fall.
Stair steps without contrasting stair treads can cause trips and falls.
Chipped or damaged concrete stairs are hazardous.
Sidewalks are areas that can cause falls even in perfect weather.
Sections that change in height more than a half inch create a tripping hazard and a quarter inch difference can also cause trips among the elderly and those who have difficulty walking.
Landscaping and raised edges next to walkways can cause trips if they're hard to see or located where pedestrians may take shortcuts.