Are Slip and Fall and Trip and Fall Accidents the Same?

Slip and fall accidents and trip and fall accidents happen quite frequently throughout the country and cause significant bodily harm and even death in the most severe cases. There are approximately 17,000 people that will lose their lives each year in the United States after a fall accident. Also, more than two million people are sent to the emergency room every year for treatment of injuries that result from a fall accident. 

While the words slip and trip are often used interchangeably when describing fall accidents, in legal terms, they are actually different. If you have slipped, tripped, and fell and were harmed, your accident may have been because of another party’s negligence. If this is true, you should consider speaking with an attorney to have your fall accident experience evaluated. You may be able to file a claim for compensation against the negligent party that caused your fall accident to happen. 

In Florida, the Tampa slip and fall lawyers at Fulgencio Law are knowledgeable about Florida slip and fall injury claims and can help you with yours.

The Difference Between Slip and Trip Accidents

There is a difference between slip and trip and fall accidents. When a slip accident happens, a slick surface causes a person to lose their footing and fall. There are many ways that a surface can be slippery including floors that have liquids spilled on them, surfaces that were just recently cleaned, and waxed surfaces to name a few. When your feet are unable to get a good grip on the floor they can easily slip forward and throw your body backward to the ground. Injuries that can happen after a slip and fall accident include:

• Sprained ankles and wrists
• Injuries to the shoulder like dislocation
• Spine and nerve injuries
• Head and brain injuries

By contrast, a trip and fall accident happens when there is some type of obstacle or hazard on the ground that catches the foot where the body is flung forward and over to the ground. Items left laying around on the ground, uneven surfaces, and unexpected steps changing the level of the ground can all be reasons why someone trips. These accidents can leave a victim with serious physical bodily harm such as:

• Fractures and broken bones
• Neck injuries
• Cuts, abrasions, scrapes, and lacerations
• Strain and sprain injuries

Both slip and fall and trip and fall incidents can leave a victim with debilitating injuries. And while anyone can be the victim of such unintentional injury events, older adults in specific are quite vulnerable and suffer a great deal of harm when a slip or trip happens. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2007 to 2016 there was a 30% increase in death from fall incidents in the elderly population. If this trend continues, it is estimated that by the year 2030 there will be seven deaths due to falls that take place every single hour in the United States.

Speak to a Florida Slip and Fall Accident Attorney Today

Victims of slip and fall and trip and fall accidents can count on the Tampa personal injury attorneys at Fulgencio Law to take on the legal challenges that come with filing a personal injury claim for compensation. To get the most from your claim working with the right legal team is essential. For a free consultation, please call Fulgencio Law today at (813) 463-0123.