Attorney
If you are planning to throw a New Year’s Eve party tonight, make sure that you clear your property of any hazards that may contribute to a slip-and-fall accident. Additionally, if you are out shopping and enjoying yourself, make sure you are aware of any hazards at retail sites or in business settings. 
While most slip-and-fall accidents are unavoidable on the part of a victim, there are ways a person can help reduce the chances he or she will be involved in one. This includes:
- Wearing shoes with slip-resistant materials
- Paying attention to melting ice on walkways
- Being careful when getting into and out of vehicles by looking prior to stepping down
- Looking out for slippery entryways into buildings
Sadly, seniors and construction workers are more likely to be hurt in slip-and-fall accidents. According to the Detroit News, winter-related slip-and-fall claims doubled in 2013-14, compared to the previous year. This is not a positive sign, as slip and fall accidents contribute heavily to catastrophic injuries.
Unfortunately, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), slip and fall accidents are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries.
In most cases, residential homeowners do not have the same duty of care to “guests” as businesses. However, you can still be held liable if an accident occurs on your premises. While you cannot control how a retail outlet takes care of its environment, if you have guests at your home, make sure you repair or mend the following potential fall hazards:
- Torn carpet
- Slippery floors
- Icy walkways
- Cracked sidewalks
- Broken handrails
- Poor lighting
It should be noted that slip-and-fall accidents not only happen at homes and in retail areas, but they can occur in municipal areas like parks or public walkways.
Who Should I Speak to If Am Injured in a Slip-and-Fall Accident?
If you are injured in a slip-and-fall accident, you should speak to our attorneys. Keep in mind, there are relatively short statutes of limitations for these types of accidents. This is especially true if an accident involves a party like a governmental or municipal entity.
If you are injured in a slip-and-fall accident, you should consult and visit with your doctor. After that, make sure that you speak to our attorneys. For more information about personal injury cases, you can visit our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.
Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia Injury Attorneys