{"id":1782,"date":"2023-02-06T18:00:11","date_gmt":"2023-02-06T18:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wolflawpllc.com\/?p=1782"},"modified":"2023-12-28T21:30:32","modified_gmt":"2023-12-28T21:30:32","slug":"slip-and-fall-vs-trip-and-fall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wolflawpllc.com\/blog\/premises-liability\/slip-and-fall-vs-trip-and-fall\/","title":{"rendered":"Slip-and-Fall vs. Trip-and-Fall: What’s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thousands of people are hospitalized yearly because of slipping or tripping hazards. Often, these premises liability accidents are preventable. In most situations, it is possible to file a trip-and-fall or slip-and-fall lawsuit to collect compensation for damages. It is important to speak with a personal injury lawyer with experience successfully handling slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall accident claims so you can better understand what to do if you slip and fall in a store<\/a>. These attorneys can explain the differences between trip and fall vs slip and fall accidents, how to build a strong case, and the damages that can be recovered.<\/p>\n

Fall Injury Statistics<\/h2>\n

According to the National Floor Safety Institute, more than eight million hospital emergency room visits a year are due to accidents involving falls; and, one million of those result from slip-and-fall injuries. Slip-and-fall accidents are the leading cause of workers\u2019 compensation claims. Moreover, they are the leading cause of occupational injury for those who are 55 years old and older.<\/p>\n

Data from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission<\/a> shows that floors and materials used to make floors directly contribute to more than two million fall injuries annually. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 15,000 people who are age 65 or older die from falls yearly. These fall injury statistics illustrate the real harm the negligence of another individual or organization can have on the victims of slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall accidents.<\/p>\n

The Differences Between Slip-and-Fall and Trip-and-Fall Accidents<\/h2>\n

When you have an accident you need to understand the difference between trip and fall vs slip and fall incidents. Both types premises liability accidents can cause serious personal injury. The main difference between the two is the cause of the fall. Most people think tripping and slipping are similar since you wind up fall down and landing on the floor regardless, possibly with injuries. For legal purposes, however, trips and slips are thought of differently.<\/p>\n

A slip-and-fall accident occurs when someone slips on a wet or slippery surface, such as a spilled liquid in a grocery store aisle. A trip-and-fall accident occurs when someone trips over an object, such as a worn rug. Slip-and-falls are usually caused by wet surfaces or spilled items, while trip-and-falls are caused by obstacles in the environment.<\/p>\n

Trips and falls happen when someone\u2019s foot or feet get caught on something, causing a fall. Slip and fall dangers often involve transient issues like spills or leaks. When the surface you\u2019re walking on is slippery, you can\u2019t get the needed traction you can when walking on a dry surface. This lack of traction can cause a foot or both feet to slide out from underneath you, making you fall.<\/p>\n

Why the Differences Between Slip-and-Fall and Trip-and-Fall Accidents Matter<\/h2>\n

It is natural to wonder why it matters that there are differences between slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall accidents. It matters because accidentally using slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall interchangeably in a courtroom setting shows a lack of consistency, which could make the judge or jury think you are not telling the truth. If they think you are not telling the truth, then your odds of winning and getting the compensation you deserve plummet.<\/p>\n

The average person who has never had a fall injury before can easily get mixed up about the differences between slipping and tripping. For this reason, having a firm understanding of the exact kind of injury you suffered is the foundation of a solid case.<\/p>\n

Examples of Trip-and-Fall Accidents<\/h2>\n

Trip-and-fall accidents can occur when a person trips over an object on the floor and cannot bring their other leg forward fast enough to prevent the fall. Examples of trip-and-fall scenarios include the following:<\/p>\n