This blog post was last updated in March 2024 to reflect the most recent statistics on slips, trips, and falls in the United States.
Falls are one of the leading causes of injuries in both the state of New York and the country as a whole. Fatal falls are also a leading cause of accidental deaths. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident or have a loved one who has died due to fall-related injuries, contact Jesse Minc Personal Injury Law to discuss your claim in a free one-on-one consultation.
Leading Causes of Slips and Falls
According to the CDC’s slip, trip, and fall statistics, these are some of the top contributing causes of slip and fall injuries:
- Spills
- Ice, snow, and rain
- Loose mats and rugs
- Stepladders
- Poor lighting
- Obstructions in paths
While some of these fall hazards may not seem preventable, there are always safety measures that a premises owner can take to warn patrons and employees of slippery surfaces due to ice and snow, for instance. Sometimes, even minor precautions can prevent accidents.
How Common Are Slips, Trip, and Fall Accidents?
The National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) compiles facts and statistics about emergency room visits, workplace accidents, deaths, and other falls-related data. According to their research:
- Slip and fall accidents account for one-eighth of the eight million injuries and deaths that occur every year in the U.S.
- 5% of fall accidents result in broken bones, like hip fractures, elbow fractures, etc.
- Slip and fall accidents are the primary cause of occupational injuries among older adults over the age of 55.
- Slip and falls accounted for injuries treated in emergency rooms for 1.5 million elderly adults (over 65).
- According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, falling leads to death or illnesses that cause eventual death for approximately 1800 elderly Americans every year. In addition, the elderly are six times more likely to be treated at the emergency room for slips and falls than younger people.
- According to the CDC, slip, trip, and, fall accidents account for hundreds of workplace deaths every year.
Slips, Trips, and Falls in the Workplace
Workplace injuries due to falls, slips, and trips are a common cause of both non-fatal injuries and fatal occupational injuries. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, slip, trip, and fall injuries sustained in the workplace were the second leading cause of fatalities among workers — second only to transportation incidents, which was the leading cause of death.
The construction industry is particularly susceptible to falls, slips, and trips. While falling to a lower or ground level is often inherently more dangerous for construction workers, slip and falls on the same level can also lead to serious injury and even death. In 2021, nearly 1 in 5 workplace deaths occurred in the construction industry. Just over one-third of construction deaths were due to falls, slips, and trips.
In comparison to other private-sector industries, in the construction industry, 31.4 per 10,000 workers sustained non-fatal injuries or illnesses resulting from slips, trips, and falls on the job site. The rate of illnesses and non-fatal injuries resulting from falls, slips, and trips is 21.7 for all of the private industry.
While construction has a disproportionate share of occupational injuries, most workplace injuries occur in what one would assume are safer workplaces.
Preventing Workplace Injuries
Slip and falls occur in the workplace all too frequently. Fortunately, many are preventable. The following tips can help prevent slips, trips, and falls from occurring in the workplace.
Be Familiar With the Hazards
Knowing the likely causes of workplace accidents can go a long way in preventing them. Identify the dangers and make workers aware of them.
Create a Safe Workspace
For occupational safety to exist, it’s imperative that the workspace and points of access are kept neat and orderly. Equipment should have a safe storage area and be put away when not in use. Harmful substances or materials should be clearly labeled.
Use Personal Protective Equipment
Workers should be trained to use any personal protective equipment you issue and be required to wear it. Introduce any new safety equipment to workers with training and a new policy. They should also receive guidance on any personal clothing or shoes that they’re responsible for providing. For instance, many restaurants in the Bronx require employees to wear slip-resistant shoes to work.
Education
Workers should regularly receive training and education about preventing falls and other workplace accidents. They should also have access to information about what to do in the event of an injury, what to do when falls happen, and how to file workers’ compensation claims.
Policies like these can help reduce the occurrence of slip and falls, injury, and even occupational fatalities. This is beneficial to both the workers and employers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slips, Trips, and Falls
Whether an injury occurs at the workplace or another place of business or premises, it is usually covered by one form of insurance or another — workers’ compensation, premises liability insurance, etc. A professional personal injury attorney in the Bronx, like Jesse Minc, will review your case for free.
In the meantime, here are some of the most frequently asked questions by individuals who have been injured in slip and fall accidents:
How common are slips, trips, and falls in the workplace?
Because almost anything can cause a slip, trip, or fall, they are extraordinarily common. One moment you’re performing a familiar work function, and then, a split second later, you’re on your back in pain.
Falling is the leading cause of ER visits, responsible for about 21.3% of all visits. When you consider that there are 8 million per year, over the course of a 40-year period, there are enough accidents to match the number of people living in the U.S. or one accident per person.
How many fatalities are caused each year by slips, trips, and falls?
Non-occupational and occupational fatalities accounted for 44,686 deaths in 2021.
How do I know If my slip and fall case is actionable?
The best way to know whether you have a viable claim for a slip and fall injury is to speak to a personal injury lawyer. Most slip, trip, and fall injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t have to pay out of pocket for professional legal advice.
What if I’m at fault for a workplace accident?
Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance is responsible for paying your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages, regardless of fault. This includes any lost productivity or reduced hours that you incur as a result of a workplace injury.
If you are injured at work, you may still be able to collect damages, even if you are partially at fault. Under New York’s comparative negligence rule, you can claim the portion of the damages that you were not responsible for. For example, if you were running through a store, slipped in a puddle on the floor, and suffered hip fractures, the court may determine that you’re 25% responsible. In that case, you can collect 75% of the compensation.
Attorney for the Injured in the Bronx, NY
Jesse Minc is a Bronx-area attorney representing slip-and-fall injury victims in New York. Attorney Minc will review your claim, act as a liaison and negotiator with the insurance company, and settle or litigate your case. Contact him today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Don’t settle your claim without speaking to an attorney first.
