Winter is the season for holidays, fun and cheer. But it’s also the season to watch out for slips or trips and falls. People in a hurry to complete their Christmas shopping, visit friends and family, catch the New Year sales etc. could encounter icy pavements, slippery streets, wet and slushy entrances or exits in private or public spaces.

Slip or trip and fall accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, but they leave a trail of devastation in their wake if you suffer serious injuries. Some injuries may appear minor initially, but the damage could turn out to be much more after a lapse of time. Though these are termed “accidents” the truth is that they’re rarely accidental. They are often caused by someone else’s fault or negligence.

If you or a dear one suffers serious injuries in a slip and fall or trip and fall accident, get in touch with a lawyer near you as soon as possible. You may be entitled to compensation.

Typical Reasons for Slip/Trip and Fall Accidents

According to the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety (OSH), more than 60% of these accidents happen on level ground. The rest involving tripping/slipping and falling from a height. There is a difference between “slip” and “trip.”

Slips typically involve reduced traction between the walking surface and the feet/footwear. They are usually caused by oily or wet surfaces, liquid spills, freshly-mopped or washed floors, unanchored or loose rugs/carpets/mats, slippery flooring materials like smooth, polished stone etc.

Trips occur when the feet come up against an unexpected obstacle and you lose balance and fall. These are caused by clutter, debris in your path, loose cables/wires, frayed/torn mats/rugs/carpets, bottom drawers left open, unmarked elevation changes, rickety or damaged steps, etc.

You can also slip/trip and fall due to poor visibility, bad weather conditions, puddles of water under aircon units, uneven terrain, lack of lighting, missing hand-rails, lack of warning signs etc.

Common Injuries

The Canadian Institute for Health Information reports that in 2016-17, nearly 654,000 visits to the ER were due to accidental falls. The average length of a hospital stay after a fall was nearly 15 days. A large majority of those victims were senior citizens and many of these accidents happened in winter. However, slip/trip and fall accidents can happen to anyone, at any time. Pregnant women and older people suffer more serious damage, but others are equally at risk.

Other injuries include:

• Hip fractures are the most common type of injury
• Tail-bone and wrist fracture
• Sprains, strains and ligament tear
• Kneecap fractures
• Shoulder and arm sprain or fractures
• Head injuries
• Injury to neck and spine
• Facial and dental damage

Prevention

Take your own precautions to avoid slip/trip and fall accidents. Good housekeeping is an essential part of safety. All spills should be wiped up immediately. If floors are wet, warning signs should be prominently displayed. Ensure that there is no clutter or debris in aisles or walkways. Conduct repairs and inspections regularly to fix potential problems early. Maintain the premises properly with good lighting. Pedestrians should slow down and stay alert. Report hazards immediately. Wear proper footwear and modify any slippery surfaces with anti-skid mats. Carry a flashlight at night.

Who Is Liable?

Slip/Trip and fall accidents cause a host of physical, financial and emotional problems for victims and their families. The injured person may have to undergo treatment and/or hospitalization and rehabilitation. They are unable to work and may lose their earning capacity if the injuries are serious. Medical and rehabilitation bills cause further distress, while the emotional trauma and shock of the accident cause further pain and suffering.

Since these accidents are caused by someone’s fault or negligence, it’s important to establish who is responsible for them. Under Ontario’s Occupier’s Liability Act, property owners or those in charge like managers are responsible for ensuring the safety of all legitimate visitors to premises under their direct or indirect control. They have a duty of care to keep the premises safe, undertake repairs and replacements, post warning signs and conduct regular inspections and maintenance. If this duty is breached, they can be held liable for the injuries caused.

When And Why You Need An Injury Claim Lawyer

Most of us assume that the at-fault party will readily compensate us for our injuries. We may also expect our own medical insurance or accident insurance coverage to reimburse us for our expenditure. However, insurance companies, even your own, need not always act in good faith. They may deny, delay, dismiss or dispute your claims.

This is where your trusted lawyer in Brampton or your trusted lawyer in Toronto can help you. As the Most Rated injury lawyer in 2018, we have the knowledge, expertise and skills to help you to put together a robust claim. Such cases hinge on several factors like proving ownership of the property, establishing the chain of liability, proving negligence, providing evidence of injuries caused by this accident and also demonstrating their impact on your life.

This is why you need to get the help of an injury lawyer to claim your insurance. You may also need to know how to find information for your injury claim. We offer a free, initial, no-obligations consultation that enables us to provide the right advice and assistance. Based on our assessment, we can safeguard your rights and entitlements and conduct independent investigations to assemble a strong case.