Summertime Slip And Fall Accidents
Michael Babboni
Premises Liability
In Florida, slip and fall accidents are a major cause of injury for people of all ages. While many think of slip and fall accidents as something suffered mostly by the elderly, the truth of the matter is that no one is immune to slipping, falling, and suffering the resulting injuries. Summertime creates some unique slip and fall scenarios throughout the region, each of which can lead to serious or permanent injury. While Florida may not see the regular ice and snow often associated with slip and fall in other areas, the state does have its own seasonal hazards to look out for.Summertime Is Boating Season
Boating is a great way to have fun in and around the St. Petersburg area. Families can go out on the boat to enjoy the great outdoors, or they can hop onto a local fishing charter to try their hand at catching some of the local fish. While filled with memorable fun, boating also leaves a great deal of slip and fall risk.
Not only can the deck of a boat get slippery quickly with water splashing up and moist air blowing by, but docks can get wet and slippery as well. While out on the boat, the motion of the vessel can make keeping your balance a little tough, and when paired with slippery surfaces you’re left in a sometimes dangerous position.
A slip and fall on a boat is hazardous in several ways. A person may fall onto sharp equipment and suffer cuts and lacerations, they may try to catch themselves and suffer soft tissue injuries, they may fall particularly hard and break a bone, and they may suffer a traumatic brain injury. The most dangerous slip and fall accidents, however, involve boaters slipping and falling into the water. When injured, you may be unable to swim, which leaves you at risk for drowning if not rescued quickly.
Fun At The Pool
Summertime in Florida is hot, and what better way to cool off on a hot summer day than by spending it by the pool? Pools pose a serious slip and fall risk for young people especially, as children get over excited and go running to jump into the water. It’s important for parents to remember that pool areas are slippery, and this excitement must be contained in order to avoid slip and fall accidents. If a local pool has “No Running” signs posted around the pool area, and your child runs only to slip and fall resulting in injury, you may not be entitled to any sort of compensation.
While at the pool, the utmost care must be taken to walk slowly and surely, be careful on pool equipment, and follow all pool rules to avoid slip and fall accidents.
Safety After Thunderstorms
St. Petersburg will experience regular rain and thunderstorms throughout the summer, and this can leave some pretty big dangers behind. Drivers on the road know how cautious you should be while driving on slick roads covered in debris, but this fact seems to slip the minds of those walking on streets and sidewalks. A thunderstorm that pulls down leaves and branches while soaking these walking surfaces can leave slippery situations in its wake.
After a thunderstorm, it’s important to wear sturdy shoes with a good grip, and to always look where you’re walking in order to avoid slip and fall accidents as well as their resulting injuries.