People visit businesses to make a purchase or secure certain services. They don’t expect to be put at risk of getting hurt. However, the way that some companies maintain their facilities can directly increase the likelihood of someone who visits them experiencing a slip-and-fall.
Slip-and-falls are a leading cause of brain injuries. They can also cause broken bones, soft tissue injuries and even spinal cord injuries. These injuries can lead to expensive insurance claims or even civil lawsuits against the companies involved.
How do businesses increase the potential of someone slipping or tripping while visiting their promises?
They don’t prioritize cleaning
Whether there is a rainstorm that creates puddles by the front entrance or broken merchandise that leaves fluids or small objects all over the floor, there are many times that items that don’t belong on the floor are the cause of a slip-and-fall that causes serious injury.
If a business doesn’t keep enough staff members around to clean up after customers and keep the premises safe, they may be negligent and therefore responsible for the injuries that result.
They ignore tripping hazards
Putting out a new display or adding a beverage cooler might bring in more customers or lead to more impulse sales. However, the extension cord powering the sign or the fridge could also pose a tripping hazard.
Even the rugs at the front entrance that people use to wipe the dust off their feet when they enter and that help absorb water or snow tracked in from outside can pose a tripping hazard and lead to people getting hurt.
They don’t take care of the actual floors
The floor surfaces themselves can be a source of risk for visitors to a business or an apartment building. A floor that just got waxed or refinished may be too slippery and therefore dangerous. Recently mopped floors without proper signage are also a safety risk. Torn carpeting or peeling linoleum could also lead to someone slipping, tripping and getting hurt.
