What Are Some Examples Of Slip-And-Fall Or Trip-And-Fall Accidents That Commonly Occur In California?

In California (as in the rest of the country), the vast majority of the slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall accidents occur in grocery stores and department stores. These accidents mainly occur due to failure to properly maintain the premises and keep it in reasonably safe condition.

Flooring is one of the main areas of concern in slip-and-fall cases. Flooring is usually selected by the property owner, who often chooses flooring that looks good and is less expensive over flooring that is practical and safe. The glossy floors you often seen in grocery stores and department stores may look good, but they often become extremely slippery when wet. This leads to falls quite frequently.

There are many types of flooring that are specifically designed to reduce slip-and-falls and slipperiness in general, but some property owners and/or managers still refuse to install them, opting instead to stay with floors that are inherently unsafe when wet. These property owners/managers have effectively made the decision not to replace their flooring (which is defective when wet) and just pay for lawsuits when people are injured.

Another common reason for slip-and-falls in grocery stores is the way they essentially designed to be distracting. Grocery stores are organized in a way that is most likely to grab your attention, according applied commercial psychology. One way this can result in more trip and falls is that people are simply less inclined to look at the floor in front of them while they are walking. For instance, grocery store psychology says that consumers should be directed to look toward the middle of each display aisle. Having this focus elsewhere takes your eyes away from the floor and your concentration away from situational awareness.

Grocery stores are primarily organized this way to push products and make more money. However, they do have the unexpected side effect of distracting consumers while they are walking in the store. Even without the designed distractions, there are many other reasons why a consumer might not spot a slip-and-fall risk. Many times, a slip-and-fall risk like water or another liquid may not be visible on the floor. Without a sign indicating that there is a spill or leak, this is liable to wind up as a slip-and-fall.

For more information on Personal Injury Law in Los Angeles, San Diego and Southern California, a free initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (626) 644-1755 or (619) 844-6448 today.