Did you know that slip-and-fall injuries account for nearly 9 million emergency room visits in the U.S. every year? Unfortunately, these accidents occur more frequently than most of us realize or would like to believe. And it appears that a large number of these incidents are occurring on the job: according to the U.S. Department of Labor, slip-and-fall injuries are the third largest cause of workplace injuries, causing more than 100 million lost workdays every year.
If you believe that your employer is not sufficiently cautious about slip-and-fall injuries at work, here is another statistic in which he or she may be interested: the average slip-and-fall costs about $28,000 in medical expenses, legal costs and lost productivity. The good news, however, is that there are several things that companies and employers can do to protect themselves from slip-and-fall accidents and the resulting liability.
- Keep it clean. Good housekeeping should be a routine, with employees assigned to regular tasks. Keep objects off the floor, and place often-used items in easy-to-reach places in order to minimize unnecessary clutter.
- Keep it clear. Coil or tape wires and cables next to the wall, and do not stretch them across aisles or hallways. Close drawers after use. Keep objects off the stairs and fix broken steps immediately.
- Keep it dry. Use moisture-absorbent mats in entrances, and no-slip mats in food preparation or other often-slippery areas. Keep floors, sidewalks and parking lots as dry and debris-free as possible.
If you have suffered a slip-and-fall injury caused by someone else’s negligence, please contact Breslin & Breslin for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.
Source: Coast River Business Journal, “5 Tips to Help Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls at Work and at Home,” June 19, 2012
