Ideally, your business runs smoothly, without complication. Its everyday tasks are burdensome enough. Any additional problem is a lot to deal with—harder than normal to solve because of your already-crushing workload. Perhaps, slip and fall accidents are one of the worst things that could happen within your business’s premises. Slip and fall cases often cost a fortune to settle, leaving employers kicking themselves over how easily preventable the issue was. Furthermore, slip and fall accidents aren’t limited to the work sphere—the home is oftentimes where the most dangerous slips and falls occur. The data surrounding slip and fall accidents is truly astounding. (Seriously, it blew all my preconceptions out of the water.) And honestly, it should be surprising that this is such a surprise—because, really, if any of us has suffered any injury, it’s probably from slipping and falling. Below, we have listed some of the most interesting facts about slip and fall accidents.

What is the #1 workplace injury?

Slip and fall accidents are the #1 workplace injury. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2019, 27% of all nonfatal work-related injuries were attributable to slips and falls (CDC). Workplace slip and fall injury is usually owed to poor slip prevention. The onus of slip prevention rests on the business owner, who shoulders the brunt of any worker’s compensation claim that arises after an employee slips and falls. What’s more, slip and fall accidents are the primary cause of missed worktime, with the average slip and fall victim missing 11 days of work. In sum, slip and fall cases are expensive and time-consuming. Prevent them when you can.

How many slip and fall deaths per year?

About 30,000 people die every year as a result of slip and fall accidents and ensuing slip and fall injury. While this number may seem like a lot, it’s less surprising when we consider the fact that over one million people are hospitalized each year because of slip and fall injury. Combine this with the fact that, each year, 1 out of every 3 adults aged over 65 will slip and fall—you get the picture: Slip and fall accidents are a lot more dangerous than you think. After all, they’re the leading cause of injury across all age groups.

What is the leading cause of slips, trips, and falls?

By far, the main reason why slip and fall accidents occur is because of wet, uneven surfaces. Uneven surfaces are common. They alone might not be much of a threat to safety—but in conjunction with a slippery floor-hazard, the danger exacerbates considerably. In the workplace, business owners often fail to take the proper measures for slip and fall prevention, perhaps thinking that wet floor signs alone are enough for slip prevention. Critically, a wet floor sign does nothing as a slippery-floor treatment. If you know anything about traction, you know that the best traction comes from elsewhere—certainly not a slippery floor sign.

Where do the majority of falls occur?

60% of all slip and fall accidents occur within the home, and they account for 50% of all accidental deaths at home. A slippery shower, slippery hardwood floors, a slippery garage floor, a slippery bathroom floor, and a slippery vinyl floor are just some of the many potential culprits lurking in the home. Indeed, these numbers seem harrowing, but there are a few things you can do for slip prevention. The usual and most natural course of action is to install rubber flooring over the areas in your home that are prone to causing accidents.

What are the most common slip and fall injuries?

Many types of injuries are due to slip and fall accidents. Of these, the three most common are broken bones, hip fractures, and traumatic brain injuries. 5% of slip and fall accidents result in broken bones; 95% of all hip fractures are due to slip and fall accidents; and the majority of traumatic brain injuries are caused by slip and fall accidents. These are just some of the severe injuries you might incur after a fall, and every time a person falls, they have a 20-30% chance of sustaining a severe injury. Thus, simply from a perspective of physical health, the dangers of slipping and falling should be taken seriously, regardless of age.

How many slip, trip, and fall accidents occur daily in the US?

Given the fact that over one million million people are hospitalized each year due to slip and fall accidents, it’s no surprise that over 2 thousand people slip and fall each day in the US.

What is the hospital cost of a slip and fall injury?

On average, a visit to the hospital for a slip and fall injury costs between $30,000 and $40,000. Medical fees for treating slip and fall victims—in sum—top $34 billion every year. And when it comes to slip and fall settlements, courts consider both the hospital fees associated with the accident and the degree of suffering experienced by the victim. But, in the end, settlement amount depends on the slip-and-fall law of the state in which the plaintiff posits the claim. Nonetheless, slip and fall cases are staggeringly expensive for business owners to contend with. Adequate slip prevention is necessary to protect your business from such cumbersome legal expenses.

What are the 3 main control measures for slips, trips, and falls?

There are several things you can do to when it comes to slip prevention. First, because wet, uneven surfaces are the primary cause of slip and fall accidents—as best as you can—ensure that you’re keeping your business’s and home’s walkways clear of unnecessary objects and excess moisture. Second, make sure that there is adequate lighting in areas that are occupied often or are prone to cause accidents. Finally—and perhaps most importantly—pay careful attention to the quality of your floors. A floor that isn’t slip resistant is a terrible liability. The best traction comes from rubber surfaces—across every dimension for measuring slip-resistance, rubber floors bests virtually every other material in meeting slip-resistance standards.

The statistics surrounding slip and fall accidents are indeed staggering. These accidents are more common than you think, and they account for an unspeakably large sum of financial and physical-health damages every year. Slip and fall prevention is key. Taking the proper preventative measures, like installing rubber floor mats where your building needs it, is an investment that will save you a lot of torment.