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Watch out for these 4 autumn slip & fall hazards
The changing of the seasons into autumn means beautiful changing leaves and fun holidays, as well as new hazards that can lead to slip or trip and fall accidents. Here are four hazards to watch out for during the autumn season.
Inadequate Lighting Outside
Autumn involves shortening days and the end of daylight saving time, which means you are likely to find yourself out walking in the early morning or early evening before the sun has come up or after it has set. If you are walking in areas with inadequate lighting, you may not be able to see hazards or obstacles that cause you to slip or trip and fall. You should encourage your employer to install adequate lighting around the premises and in employee parking areas so that you can avoid falls when leaving work. You should also consider installing outdoor motion-sensor lights around your home so that you and others will have enough lighting to avoid potential slipping or tripping hazards.
Slippery Floors
Autumn can bring rainstorms as well as snow as we approach the later part of the season. As people enter buildings, they will track in both rainwater and snow. This makes it important to be extra careful when walking into establishments, especially if you see “wet floor” signs. You may want to wear shoes with good treads and have anti-slip mats at entrances to prevent slipping on wet floors.
Wet Leaves
Fallen leaves also represent another big autumn slipping hazard. After leaves fall from trees, they will begin to decay and may become slippery, especially after it rains. Remember to rake leaves off of driveways and walkways. Also look out for wet leaves on public sidewalks, in parking lots, and near entrances to establishments, as property or business owners may not be diligent in cleaning up fallen leaves.
Wires and Cords for Holiday Decorations
Many people put up electric decorations for Halloween and Thanksgiving. However, these decorations may pose a tripping hazard if wires are strewn across walking paths. When putting up electric decorations, try to place their wires away from walking paths. If a wire does need to be placed across a walkway or walking path, you should place a mat or tape over the wire so that it does not trip someone.
What to Do After an Autumn Slip and Fall Accident
If you suffer a slip and fall or trip and fall accident on someone else’s property, steps you can take to protect your rights to seek financial compensation include:
- Taking photos of the scene of the accident, including whatever caused you to fall
- Notifying the property owner of the accident and requesting they preserve any surveillance camera footage, which is usually done through your attorney
- Preserving or photographing your clothing and footwear
- Seeking medical attention as soon as possible to diagnose injuries you sustained
- Following through on your medical provider’s treatment plan and instructions
- Keeping copies of bills, invoices, and receipts of expenses you incurred, as well as your pay stubs if you miss time from work after the accident
- Speaking to a slip and fall accident lawyer to begin the process of pursuing a claim for financial recovery
Contact a Clark Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Slip and Fall Accident Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a slip and fall accident in New Jersey? Don’t wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Team Law represent clients injured because of slip and fall accidents in Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, and throughout New Jersey. Call (732) 540-1394 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 5603 Bergenline Ave, West New York, NJ 07093, as well as offices in Clark, Perth Amboy, Edison, Summit, Newark, New Brunswick, Orange, Plainfield, and Jersey City.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
