The Unhappy Reality of Slips and Falls

Submitted by Federated Insurance

Although it varies by industry, claims made by businesses for slip and fall accidents account for more than 20% of general liability claims each year.

Regardless of the reason, more traffic naturally points to a greater chance for mishaps. To reduce this risk, you would need to reduce foot traffic, and what business owner wants to do that? A more acceptable alternative is to emphasize the importance of regular facility inspections, on-going housekeeping, and sound maintenance practices.

Rain and winter’s sleet, ice, and snow can significantly impact slip and fall frequency. Couple this with employees and customers who may not be wearing appropriate footwear for the conditions, and your risk increases.

Businesses should implement policies to keep walkways, driveways, and customer parking areas clear of ice and snow accumulation.

• Pay special attention to drainage runoff or discharge from buildings, canopies, and landscaping.
• Many incidents occur after a day of snow/ice melt and the refreeze in the evening or morning hours, which are also often the busiest times of day.
• And don’t forget indoor slips and falls. Customers inevitably track in whatever type of precipitation is outdoors, creating wet and slippery floors, especially around entrances.

Keeping employees aware of and on the lookout for these increased weather-related risks is critical to slip and fall prevention—inside and out.

Slip and fall incidents and their root causes can be obvious (an icy sidewalk), or not so obvious (a “staged” fall for fraudulent purposes). In other words, business owners need to be ready for all conditions. Look at your business, paying special attention to the three common causes discussed here. They show what your business could be exposed to, and the preventable situations you can remedy to help you avoid an insurance claim.