Slip, trip, and fall accidents are among the most common type of personal injury claims. If you slip and fall on someone else’s property due to the owner’s negligence or failure to keep the premises safe, you may be entitled to compensation.

Slips occur when there is too little friction or traction between a person’s foot or shoe and the walking surface. Some common causes of slips are:

• Spills
• Weather hazards
• Loose rugs or mats
• Flooring or surfaces that don’t have the same degree of traction in all areas

Trips happen when a person’s foot collides with an object, causing them to lose balance and fall. Some common causes of tripping are:

• Obstructed view
• Poor lighting
• Clutter
• Loose or wrinkled carpeting
• Uncovered cables
• Uneven walking surfaces like steps and thresholds

Slips, trips, and falls can be prevented by:

• Paying attention to your surroundings
• Employing good housekeeping techniques and keeping loose objects off the ground
• Having quality and even walking surfaces and flooring
  Selecting proper footwear
• Maintaining an appropriate pace of walking

If you slipped and fell on someone else’s property, that person may be liable for your injuries. A key to proving liability is showing that the property owner was careless in maintaining the property. Slip and fall liability comes under general negligence law. The owner had a duty of care to keep the property properly maintained and safe for visitors, he or she failed to exercise that duty of care, and an injury occurred as a result. This means that the owner knew, or should have known, about the dangerous condition and failed to fix the hazards. If you are able to prove this, you may be able to recover damages for your medical bills, loss of income, pain and suffering, and other damages.

While slip and fall accidents often result in minor injuries, serious permanent injury can result as well. Many broken bones, head trauma, and neck and back problems occur because of slip and fall accidents. If you’ve had a slip and fall accident, contact an experienced slip and fall attorney today.