Yes, summer is the season of easy living, but if we’re not careful, it can quickly become a time of injuries, too. Slip and falls are most often associated with winter, and with good reason: icy roads and pavements are certainly a recipe for accidents, if not disaster. Still, they can happen any time of year, and summer brings its own unique risks.
We have to take slip and falls seriously all year long. They’re serious, resulting in injuries such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord damage. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 50% of all TBI-related visits to the emergency room stem from slip and falls. Sometimes it’s worse: according to the National Safety Council (NSC), tens of thousands of Americans die every year from them.
What causes slip and falls during the summer?
Now let’s talk about why there are so many summertime slip and falls. First, a big factor is that we associate these injuries and the related risks with winter. Property owners are much less likely to take the appropriate steps to remove the hazards.
Be Prepared for Stormy Weather
Weather contributes to summertime slip and falls, just like it does during winter. Intense rainfall can create hazards that can even travel indoors. If people step on rainwater that has been mixed with other substances, they can turn the floor of their office lobby into a slippery, dangerous surface.
As a property owner, if a walking area becomes slippery during or after a storm, you cannot delay in cleaning it up, and you must warn your visitors of the risk.
Poolside Slip and Falls
It does not take much for a relaxing day at the pool to take a turn for the worse, and not only because of swimming safety. Surfaces surrounding pools and summer recreational facilities inevitably get wet. Usually there are often toys lying around, which can be hard to spot.
Pool owners, if someone is injured on your property, you’ll want a trusted Memphis slip and fall lawyer on your side.
Other Risks
- Watering the lawn
- Washing the car
- Footwear
- Uneven hiking trails
- Cracks in pavement
My best advice: always be mindful of your surroundings. Exercise caution, and if you’re hanging by a pool, walk, don’t run.
Speak with an experienced Memphis slip and fall lawyer.
If you were injured because of a property owner’s negligence, you could be eligible to recover compensation. These cases are complicated. Determining liability can be difficult. The last thing you need while recovering from an injury is a contentious case. We’ll navigate it all for you, so you can focus on getting back on your feet.