Summer is finally here, and that means hitting the pool, visiting amusement parks, and heading out on vacation. Unfortunately, these warm-weather activities also come with the risk of slips, trips, and falls, which can result in severe injuries. Let’s explore the common causes of these summertime accidents so you can take the necessary precautions to prevent them—and seek fair compensation in their aftermath.
Slippery Surfaces
When you think of a slip-and-fall accident, you might think of someone slipping on ice in the winter. Surely, you don’t have to worry about a slip-and-fall accident in the California summer, right?
The reality is that slip-and-fall accidents also peak in the hot summer months as more people engage in water activities, such as going to pools and waterparks. The area around the edge of a pool can get slippery as water splashes out. And even if you’re being careful, you can still slip and fall in the puddles.
Nor are these accidents confined to aquatic recreation. During the summer, malfunctioning freezers may also be more likely to cause puddles in grocery stores. If the freezers can’t keep up with the soaring temperatures, water can leak out and cause a slipping hazard.
Uneven Surfaces
Summer is also when more people spend time outside. That means there’s a greater chance of tripping on uneven outdoor surfaces, like sidewalks. A poorly maintained sidewalk can be a serious tripping hazard, especially to older adults who may not notice the uneven surface, often have balance issues, and are more prone to serious injuries due to low bone density and more delicate soft tissues.
Summer parties and get-togethers pose another injury threat, as they often happen on decks and patios, which can be trip or fall hazards. If a board on a deck or a stone on a patio sticks up, it may cause someone to trip, while a staircase with uneven steps can lead to a dangerous fall.
Poorly Lit Areas
It’s nice to hang out outdoors later into the night in the summer. It’s still warm out after the sun goes down, so there’s no need to hurry back inside. The problem is that outdoor areas are not often well-lit.
If the lighting is poor on a deck or patio, you may overlook a hazard that will cause you to trip or fall. Poor lighting can also make uneven sidewalks harder to spot. Outdoor stairwells in low-light conditions are a major fall hazard—especially if there aren’t adequate railings nearby.
Getting Compensation for Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents
If your slip, trip, or fall accident happened on another person’s property, you may be able to file a premises liability claim. These claims arise when hazardous conditions on a property lead to injury. A property owner owes a duty of care to guests on their property and should fix hazards they know or should have known existed. Their failure to do so could make them liable for resulting injuries.
Were you injured in a slip, trip, or fall accident in Walnut Creek, California? If so, you could be owed money for your:
- Medical Expenses: Compensation for all medical costs related to the injury, including emergency room visits, hospitalization, surgery, medication, physical therapy, and any ongoing medical treatment
- Lost Wages: Reimbursement for any income lost due to time taken off work to recover. This can include lost earning capacity if the victim is unable to return to the same level of work as before the injury
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress suffered as a result of the injury. This can include compensation for any chronic pain, mental anguish, reduced quality of life, and loss of enjoyment of activities
- Permanent Disability or Disfigurement: If the slip and fall accident leads to permanent disability or disfigurement, the victim may be entitled to compensation for the long-term impact on their life
Contact Our Walnut Creek Personal Injury Attorneys
Contact the law office of Casper, Meadows, Schwartz, & Cook for a free consultation of your case. One of our experienced personal injury attorneys will evaluate your case, answer your questions, and explain your legal options.