Most people think that slips and falls and trips and falls are the same. However, there is a difference between the two. Knowing how these two differ when seeking compensation for an injury is important. Below is everything you need to know about the difference between slips and falls.
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What is a Slip and Fall?
A “slip” occurs when there is little friction, and you lose footage due to this loss of friction. A slip can happen when your feet slip out from under you on a wet or oily surface. Slips are incredibly common and can occur due to spills on the floor that go uncleaned or poor shoes, among other issues.
There are three main types of slips:
- Wet floor slips occur when you walk on a wet or oily surface, and your feet slip out from under you (such as if someone was cleaning the floor beforehand).
- Dust slips occur when fine dust, such as sawdust, causes the floor to be slippery and leads to an accidental fall.
- Ice and snow slips occur when you walk on ice or snow, and your feet slip out from under you (such as working outdoors and slipping on ice).
What is a Trip and Fall?
The National Safety Compliance defines “trips” as falling due to a hazard on the floor. For instance, if you’re walking and suddenly hit your foot against a forgotten rigid box, this falls under the definition of a trip. Trips usually occur due to the following:
- You are not paying attention while walking
- Failure to remove hazards from the floor
- Poor management of a warehouse or other facility leading to disorganization
Injuries From Slips and Falls
Slips and trips can lead to serious injuries requiring medical attention or long-term care. For the most part, slips and trips differ because people usually fall backward during slips and falls, while trips and falls typically cause someone to land forward.
Some common injuries that can occur from slips and falls include:
- Head fractures
- Scalp injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Concussions
- Unconsciousness
- Internal severe bleeding in the brain
On the other hand, trips and falls usually lead to injuries such as:
- Broken or hurt nose
- Abrasions on the hands and knees
- Knee injuries
- Facial injuries
If you’ve been injured in a slip or fall, it’s essential to seek medical attention right away. Doing so can help you document your injuries and start on the road to recovery. It can also help you build a strong case if you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Filing a Lawsuit for Slips and Falls and Trips and Falls
Unfortunately, many property owners or business owners could prevent slips and falls and trips and falls with the proper training and equipment. Negligence could be to blame, meaning you might be eligible to file a premises liability lawsuit. This premises liability lawsuit can help you earn compensation if you believe your injury from a slip and fall or trip and fall was due to a property owner’s negligence.
Before filing a lawsuit, it’s essential to consider the severity of your injuries. If you suffered minor injuries, you might not have a strong enough case to file a lawsuit. However, you might have a stronger case if you suffered severe injuries, such as a broken bone or head injury. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you determine if you have a case and what your next steps should be, such as the Zayed Law Offices slip and fall attorneys. These attorneys can help you file paperwork for your claim, distinguish between a slip and fall and trip and fall, and get you started on your journey toward compensation.
