What Is the Difference Between Slip & Fall and Trip & Fall?
How Slip and Fall Accidents Differ from Trip and Fall Accidents
While many people may use the terms interchangeably, “slip and fall accidents” and “trip and fall accidents” refer to slightly different things. Both types of accidents can result in severe, life-threatening injuries and should be taken seriously. If you are injured in a fall on another person’s property, including a sidewalk or parking lot, you might be entitled to compensation.
At the Law Office of Asaro & Associates, we know the devastation that a slip or trip and fall can cause. Our award-winning legal team will fight to ensure that you receive the largest recovery possible based on your injuries. Contact our office at (718) 650-2135 for a free, no-obligation consultation if you are injured in a slip and fall or trip and fall accident.
What Is a Slip and Fall Accident?
A slip and fall accident typically refers to when someone is injured because they fell on a slippery surface. Slip and fall accidents usually involve someone losing their balance and falling backward. An unexpected fall backward can result in severe head injury, trauma to the neck or back, and broken bones.
Common causes of slip and fall accidents:
- Recently mopped or waxed floors
- Spilled liquids
- Ice and snow that is not timely removed
- Slick or uneven stairs
- Loose items on the floor such as beads or marbles
In slip and fall accidents, few people have time to brace themselves before impact with a hard surface. This means that the back of their body (often the head and spine) absorbs a significant amount of force. The injuries can be debilitating, affecting your mobility and your ability to work.
What Is a Trip and Fall Accident?
A trip and fall accident differs slightly from a slip and fall accident in that the injured person generally falls forward after tripping on something. Trip and fall accidents usually result in injury to the hands, wrists, face, and knees.
Common causes of trip and fall accidents:
- Loose carpeting or floorboards
- Unsecured wires
- Uneven sidewalk
- Items left out in aisles or walkways
- Poorly lit stairwells
Trip and fall accidents that cause a fall to a lower level, referred to as an “elevated fall,” are extremely serious and may be fatal. Elevated falls often happen at construction sites, stairwells, and off stages.
What to Do If You Are Involved in a Slip & Fall or Trip & Fall Accident
Regardless of whether you are involved in a slip and fall or a trip and fall accident, you should always get your injuries checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible. Delaying treatment can exacerbate your injuries or lead to serious complications.
By following a few simple steps, you can protect your right to compensation and help ensure that you make a full recovery:
- Get help for your injuries. You should not move if you suspect that your head, neck, or back was injured in the fall. Have someone call 9-1-1 so that emergency medical personnel can treat you at the scene.
- Notify the property owner or manager. Always report the incident to the property owner or store manager. If you are unsure who owns the property, ask the person in charge. A manager should know the proper protocol for reporting a slip and fall accident.
- Collect evidence. If you are able, collect evidence at the scene. Take pictures, obtain witness information, and document anything that you can remember about the accident.
- Contact an attorney. Before making any statements or signing anything, you should consult with an experienced attorney.
Hiring an attorney as early in the process as possible can ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve after an accident with injury.
Injured in a Slip, Trip, or Fall Accident? Contact Our Office.
If you have been injured in a slip and fall or trip and fall accident, contact our office at (718) 650-2135 for a free consultation. Discuss your case with a leading attorney and pay nothing unless we win. Call today to get started.
