Falling Leaves and Slippery Sidewalks: How to Prevent Fall-Related Injuries This Autumn

As we transition from the summer heat to a gentle fall, we find ourselves surrounded by subtle changes. While we don’t get to admire the changing of the leaves and significant shifts in temperature like our neighboring states, we still welcome the allure of the season and celebrate the simple differences. As we transition deeper into Autumn, it’s important to consider some of the hazards that can arise, as well as some of the safety tips that can prevent fall-related injuries during this time of year. 

The Hazards of (Florida) Fall

Fallen Leaves – As mentioned above, in Florida we don’t get to experience the leaves changing colors, but they do still fall. Gathered piles can pose serious risk on a brisk morning walk, or evening stroll in the neighborhood. Mid to late October is when you can expect to see the leaves begin to fall, so it’s important that you take proactive steps to ensure your safety. Watch out for covered sidewalks that can lead to slippery falls. 

Rain – While Florida tends to get less rain in Autumn, we do still experience a few seasonal showers. This can lead to slick pavement, or even wet foot prints that get tracked inside causing hazardous conditions both outdoors and indoors. It’s important to be mindful of wet surfaces as they can increase the risk of you slipping and falling. 

Decorating – That’s right, decorating. One thing many people like to do when the temperature starts to drop is decorate for fall. There may be a reason you find yourself up on a ladder, or carefully arranging pumpkins around your yard or home when one foot slips out from under you and boom! You’re facing a personal injury.

The Importance of Fall Prevention

Taking measures to prevent falls is paramount to ensuring your safety and well-being. A slip and fall might sound minor, but it can have catastrophic effects, especially for the elderly or those with preexisting injuries. Nasty falls can lead to costly hospital visits and you may end up facing thousands of dollars in medical expenses for things like surgery, medication, X-rays, CT scans, physical therapy, checkups, and more. Additionally, you may have to take time off of work in order to fully recover, which can create even greater financial difficulty. By taking certain precautions, you can arm yourself with the knowledge and tools needed to reduce the risk of a slip and fall this season. 

Below are 5 tips for preventing slip and falls. 

• Wear Proper Footwear – Wearing appropriate footwear when you’re outside or even indoors is an essential tool in avoiding a slip and fall. As the seasons change, so should your shoes. Shoes with good tread patterns keep you from slipping on damp pavement or wet leaves. 

• Use Sidewalk Safety – When it comes to navigating outdoor spaces during the fall, it’s imperative that you use sidewalk safety. In Florida, we may not have bright fall leaves lining the street, but they still trickle down, and can pose a serious threat to your physical well-being. You should follow the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s tips for pedestrian safety, which include but are not limited to following the rules of the road, looking out for vehicles, obeying street lights and signs, and more. 

• Staying Active and Fit – Maintaining good physical help is an excellent way to prevent slip and falls. Johns Hopkins Medicine’s Lora Stutzman recommends sit-to-stand and balance exercises as they can build leg strength, and balance so that you can keep yourself steady and prevent the likelihood of a slip and fall.

In Case You Slip & Fall…

If you unfortunately slip and fall this season, you should first seek medical attention. It’s important to be evaluated by a medical professional when matters like this occur, even if you don’t have visible injuries. Invisible injuries, like internal bleeding, organ damage, concussions, or more can still occur. Additionally, if the fall wasn’t your fault, you might be entitled to seek compensation for the injuries you’ve sustained. If you decide to, it’s important to gather important documentation like medical examinations, bills, lost wages, and more, so that a legal professional can determine how much they can help you recover. Having clear and organized documentation to back up your slip and fall claim can give you a great advantage in reaching the best possible result. 

Remember there is a statute of limitations in Florida for slip and fall cases, so it’s imperative that you act fast when an injury occurs. 

How The Florida Law Group Can Help

If you were injured in a slip and fall on someone else’s property and it wasn’t your fault, you might be eligible for compensation. At The Florida Law Group, we help victims of slip and fall injuries recover damages when they’re injured by no fault of their own because we believe in justice for all. Our personal injury lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience and have secured over $1 billion on behalf of our clients since we opened our doors in 1984.

It can be difficult to go up against the insurance company of the at-fault party, or even your own, because they often only look out for their own interests. We are familiar with their lowball tactics and can help you negotiate for a full and fair settlement. Don’t wait to get the help that you need. Call The Florida Law Group today to schedule a free consultation. The best part is, we work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to pay us any upfront or out-of-pocket fees. We only get paid if and when you win, and our fees are repaid directly from your settlement amount. If you’ve experienced a fall-related injury, contact us now!

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• Avvo
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• And more!