When Roslindale was a new community, residents referred to it as Boston’s garden suburb. That reputation remains today as Roslindale is well-known for being the home to the 265-acre Arnold Arboretum. While colonial homes have been replaced by condos, the history and charm of the area remain. Unfortunately, this doesn’t insulate area residents from sustaining serious injuries in a slip and fall accident. Whether it’s at Arnold Arboretum, a historic landmark like Stoney Brook Reservation or Bussey Farm, or the Roslindale Market, these injuries can cause serious disruption to your life.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), slip and fall accidents are especially common among people over age 65. In fact, three million older Americans visit a hospital emergency room each year due to some type of slip and fall accident. The results of these accidents can be as minor as a superficial scratch or bruise or have life-altering consequences such as a traumatic brain injury. Of course, people of any age can become a slip and fall victim at home, work, or while out in the community.
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Uneven or Wet Surfaces Account for More Than Half of All Slip and Fall Accidents
An uneven or wet surface is naturally harder to walk on than a flat and dry surface. These accidents often happen in a public place or on the job due to negligence on the part of employees or the business owner. Whether you’re an employee of the Roslindale RMV Service Center, the local 7-11, or another type of business, you could easily become a victim of this type of accident. The most common types of slip and fall accident caused by a wet or uneven surface include:
- Carpeting that does not fit the surface properly or that contains a tear
- Cluttered floors containing objects that someone should have moved or put away but failed to do so
- Cracked or uneven surfaces on sidewalks
- Loose floorboards
- Loose floor mats
- Missing steps on staircases, lack of handrails, poor construction, or improper maintenance
- Moisture accumulation on a floor, public street, or parking lot
- Potholes in parking lots
- Recently waxed or mopped the floor with no warning sign that it could be extra slippery
These types of accidents can also occur at home or when visiting someone else’s home. It is everyone’s responsibility to remove potential hazards from walking surfaces as well as keep them dry. If you sustained an injury from tripping or falling that you feel occurred due to the other party’s negligence, you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit to collect damages.
Improper Workplace Training
While employees can suffer the consequences of a slip and fall accident in any industry, they happen the most often among those who work in construction.. Despite possible sanctions from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), many employers fail to provide adequate training to prevent on-the-job accidents or knowingly require their employees to work in unsafe conditions. Every employee, especially those in a high-risk industry like construction, should receive extensive training on the proper use of tools and equipment. They should also learn how to keep an area clean to prevent themselves or a co-worker from tripping or falling.
While state law does not allow injured employees to sue their employers due to the no-fault workers’ compensation system, some exceptions exist. A personal injury attorney can explain these to you during a consultation.
Weather Conditions
Slipping and falling due to weather conditions is a leading cause of this type of accident, especially in a climate that receives plenty of snow and ice like Roslindale, Massachusetts. It is the responsibility of the property owner to keep walking surfaces free of snow and ice that could cause a fall in the winter or early spring. Property owners must also manage conditions within their control during the other seasons to prevent a slip and fall accident..
