Wet and slippery floors are among the leading causes of slip-and-fall accidents. Some organizations, including the National Floor Safety Institute, say wet and slippery floors are the single leading reason people fall and get hurt.
Floors and other walkways may become wet from a variety of liquids tracked in or spilled on hard surfaces. Property owners or managers should act in a timely manner to clean up spills or tracked-in hazards that cause wet and slippery floors.
Floors that are not dry after cleaning should be labeled with easily seen and recognized “wet floor” signs. Not taking these steps may be negligence that could leave property owners and others liable if a slip-and-fall accident occurs.
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Contact the Ginarte law firm today in the New York City / Northern New Jersey area to set up a free initial consultation about your slip-and-fall case.
Typical Causes of Wet and Slippery Floors
Wet and slippery floors are among the most common reasons slip-and-fall accidents occur. Floors may become wet and slippery because of many substances, such as:
- Water.
- Mud.
- Snow and ice.
- Soaps, detergents and polishes.
- Oil and grease.
- Food (liquids and semi-solids).
- Blood, sweat and urine.
- Refuse or waste material.
There are many ways contaminants can cause a floor to become wet and slippery, including:
- Weather-related wetness (rain, snow, ice, etc.) tracked in on shoes, clothing, umbrellas and other belongings of people entering a building.
- Spills of liquids or foods in a kitchen or food service environment (restaurant, cafeteria, snack bar, coffee shop, etc.).
- Spilled liquids or other slippery materials from fallen merchandise in a grocery or other retail store.
- Leaking water or other fluids from plumbing, HVAC fixtures, ceiling or roof damage, faulty window or door seals, etc.
- Water, soap, detergents and polishes used to mop or buff a floor (sometimes to clean up a wetness hazard).
- Oil, grease or similar substances tracked into a public area by a garage mechanic, for example.
- Other injuries, including previous falls that result in blood or perspiration (sweat) spilled onto a floor or walkway.
- A child, pet or incontinent adult’s “accident.”
- Spills of liquid or semi-solid refuse or waste from toppled containers, while being transported from one site to another, or by improper disposal.
Property owners or managers are usually allowed a reasonable amount of time to clean up temporary hazards of the type that cause wet and slippery floors. For floors that are expected to remain wet and slippery, those in charge should post adequate warning that a slip-and-fall hazard exists, such as with “wet floor” signs or cones.
Failure to deal with slip-and-fall hazards caused by wet and slippery floors in a timely manner may leave property owners, managers or other responsible parties liable for the harm caused to those who are injured in fall accidents. Having posted a “wet floor” sign does not automatically counter other negligence that exists.
Contact Our NY / NJ Slip-and-Fall Accident Attorneys Today
The slip-and-fall accident lawyers of Ginarte law can help you obtain justice if you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a fall accident caused by a wet and slippery floor in the New York / New Jersey metro area. Individuals who have been injured because of someone else’s negligence may be entitled to compensation for medical bills and other losses, as well as for their pain and suffering.
Speak With A Knowledgeable Professional
Sources:
- National Floor Safety Institute (video)
- Accident Prevention: Slips, Trips and Falls, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
- Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls, New York State Insurance Fund Workers’ Comp Advisor