Slipping and tripping accidents rank right alongside automobile collisions as some of the most common sources of preventable injuries in the United States today. However, just as the term “car crash” describes a wide variety of incidents caused by reckless and careless behaviors, “slip and fall” serves as a blanket term for numerous accidents.
Certain hazards cause serious injuries more frequently than others, and landowners in the Lone Star State must legally address many of them. If one of the common causes of slip and falls in Baytown injured you, consider contacting our slip and fall attorneys from Schechter, Shaffer & Harris as soon as possible to explore a potential civil claim.
Spills and Debris in Walkways
Wet floors—whether caused by a spilled drink that no one cleaned up, rainwater that no one mopped away, or a damp spot left behind without a “wet floor” sign—are among the most common causes of slipping and tripping accidents in Baytown. You might not realize it, but stepping on something like a loose candy wrapper or discarded cup can make you lose your footing just as easily as a puddle or spilled milk. If a landowner fails to properly address such hazards, that negligence could form solid grounds for a lawsuit.
Broken or Flawed Flooring
In addition to cleaning up trash and mopping up spills, landowners in Baytown must keep their floors in good working order and prevent them from falling into disrepair and causing common slip and falls. Cracked or loose tiles, frayed or torn carpeting, protruding hardwood boards, and even sidewalk cracks or potholes may justify slip and fall claims when landowners fail to fix them or warn you about the danger.
Unsecured Tripping Hazards: What Are They?
Loose trash, leaves, and other debris are not the only things that could trip you up while you walk through someone else’s property. Unsecured electrical cords and other objects that stretch across or into walkways are a deceptively common cause of Baytown slip and fall injuries, especially in retail stores and commercial buildings.
Lack of Sufficient Lighting
Finally, do not underestimate how hard it is to find your footing when you cannot see. This is another common reason for falls or slips. With that in mind, broken or missing light sources often justify slip and fall lawsuits, especially when the fall happens in an outdoor area that should have been properly lit at night.
Contact a Baytown Attorney for Filing a Claim Over Common Slip and Fall Causes
This is not a comprehensive list of every hazard that could cause you to fall. However, these common causes of slip and falls in Baytown share a key trait: landowners usually bear the duty to warn you about them, fix them promptly after discovering the issue, and routinely inspect their property to identify such risks.
Our personal injury attorneys help you pursue compensation for any harm you suffered due to these hazards or any other dangerous property condition. Call Schechter Shaffer & Harris to receive our capable and compassionate legal support.