16 Jul Falls on Hazardous Floors Are Leading Cause of Accidental Death Among Elderly, Study

Falling on hazardous floors is the leading cause of accidental death among the elderly, according to studies done by the National Floor Safety Institute. The editor of EHT magazine, where are article detailing the study was published, said that 8 million people seek emergency room treatment every year for instances where they have slipped and fallen on a hazardous floor. There are many different circumstances under which floors can become hazardous.

Dangerous Flooring

Hazardous floors can exist under a variety of condition. In many cases where someone seeks treatment for injuries, they fell on a wet floor that didn't provide them with adequate traction. They may have fallen on stairs that were not marked clearly to indicate their edges or they may have slipped on concrete that was slick with oil or other contaminants. The injuries can be very severe.

These various types of hazardous floors, and the many other types, cause approximately 55 percent of all slip and fall accidents, according to the report. Hazardous floors in any environment can be dangerous, but they cause a large percentage of the accidents that occur in certain locations, such as in workplaces.

Avoiding Dangerous Flooring Situations

It's a good idea to check the floor in any retail establishment, restaurant, in your workplace or in any other location you visit. Stairways are particularly dangerous. They should have no-slip traction surfaces on them if they're made of slick materials or they should be made of materials that, themselves, resist slippage, such as concrete.

In areas where vehicles, chemicals or other potential slick substances are stored, exercise particular caution. If you have a hallway, for instance, where people frequently walk their bikes to their apartments, be wary of grease and oil from the bikes. A bit of forethought goes a long way in avoiding some common types of accidents.

Contacting a Lawyer

If you've been injured on a commercial or private premises and it was due to someone being negligent about hazardous flooring, contact an attorney. Negligence is cause to file a lawsuit and being serious injured can mean very high expenses and a lot of lost wages. If someone you know has lost their life due to a slip and fall accident, contact and attorney, as well. Filing a wrongful death lawsuit because of a slip and fall accident may help the family to recover financially.