Tips To Avoid Summer Slip And Fall Accidents In Southwest Florida
Corbin Sutter
Premises Liability
Over 1,000,000 Americans suffer a slip and fall injury each year in the United States. While most of these injuries are relatively minor, thousands result in hospital visits, and over 17,000 result in fatal injuries. Knowing a few tips to avoid the most common causes of summer slips and falls can help you to keep protected from the many injuries these types of accidents cause. Some useful tips to avoid summer slip and fall accidents in Southwest Florida are: • Consider your footwear – Flip flops and sandals are common during a Southwest Florida summer, and it’s easy to see why. They’re cool, laid-back, and perfect for trips to the beach or the pool. While this type of footwear can be convenient and comfortable, it can also be dangerous. Flip flops and sandals have less grip on the ground and less grip on the foot, leaving you potentially susceptible to slip and fall accidents with each step. This type of footwear should be worn in appropriate locations like the beach or pool, and the wearer should proceed with care.
• Always know your surroundings – Fun in the sun is simply part of a Southwest Florida summer. This means barbecues, pool parties, trips to parks, and camping trips. Barbecues may have pieces of backyard games lying about, pools can be slippery, parks can have litter or toys left behind, and camping trips in wooded areas might have roots, stumps, or rocks hidden by the earth. Hazards are present everywhere, and it’s always important to get to know your surroundings no matter where you might be out and about this summer.
• Be careful around water – Spending time by the ocean, a lake, or a pool is a great way to beat the summer heat, but water can make just about any location a little extra slippery. Around pool areas, be careful to watch your step and to walk slowly around the pool vicinity. Lakes can have slippery rocky areas, muddy spots, and other difficult to see hazards. Being careful around any and all bodies of water in the summer ensures you can cool off, have fun, and stay safe all at once.
• Watch for grass clippings – One common sound that seems to fade into the background during summer is the sound of a lawnmower on a sunny weekend afternoon. While this is a regular part of summers in Southwest Florida, it can also present a unique hazard on walkways throughout the region. Grass clippings can lead to slippery spots on sidewalks, walkways, and driveways, and these spots may not seem slippery at first. Particularly after a rain, always be careful when walking on areas with grass clippings by walking slowly and keeping your eyes to the ground.
Keeping You Protected Throughout The Summer
Even if a person takes all necessary precautions they can still find themselves in a slip and fall accident. Slip and fall accidents routinely cause serious injuries like broken bones, soft tissue injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and lacerations. If you’ve been in a slip and fall accident in Southwest Florida it’s important to have the representation you need to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Property owners have a certain duty of care to their visitors to provide a safe and secure space, and if this space does not meet safety standards, they may be held liable for your injuries.
If you’ve been in a slip and fall accident in any region of Southwest Florida, contact us today at AllInjuriesLawFirm.com to see what we can do for you.