Slips, Trips and Falls can happen anywhere; at work, in a park, on a public road, street, footpath, pedestrian crossing, in a supermarket, pharmacy, green grocers, hardware store, post office, bank, hairdressers, department store, restaurant, holiday accommodation or at the gym.
They usually happen on stairs, uneven surfaces or wet floors, cracked or defective footpaths or where there is inadequate lighting or a lack of handrail.
The injuries sustained can depend on many factors but may include soft tissue bruising, lacerations, broken bones, fractures and sprains, back, neck or head injuries and scarring. The accident can also leave the injured party feeling nervous and anxious following their accident through the fear of something similar happening.
Workplace Accidents
An employer is under a duty to take reasonable care of the health and safety of its employees in all the circumstances of the case so as not to expose them to an unnecessary risk during the course of their employment.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers to ensure the health and safety of all employees and anyone affected by their work, so far as is reasonably practicable.
Slips and trips are the most common cause of injury at work however work-related injuries can also arise as a result of inadequate training on the part of the employer, particularly Manual Handling Training, Repetitive Strain Injury as a result of excessive use of tools, the negligence of a co – employee or an employer’s failure to adequately maintain equipment used by its employees.
Depending on the severity of the accident or the amount of time you are off work, your employer may need to report the details to Health and Safety Executive who may investigate the accident. However, not all accidents are reported by employers and it is therefore a good idea to either report the matter yourself or instruct your solicitors to report the matter on your behalf.
