As we get deeper into autumn, new risks that can lead to dangerous slip and fall accidents are all around us. The fall season is often accompanied by a large number of outdoor slip and fall accidents caused by changing weather conditions, poor lighting, and the use of seasonal décor.

To avoid slip and fall injuries as the autumn months roll around, be aware of the following types of accidents that can take place during this time of year:

Accidents Caused by Changing Weather Conditions

Many slip and fall accidents during the autumn months result from surfaces covered with leaf debris as the trees begin to shed their leaves. Piles of leaves can cover holes and other hazards on sidewalks. Individuals who walk over dents or cracked sidewalks hidden by leaves can lose their footing.

When fall weather brings more frequent rain storms, high winds and cooling temperature, walkways and roads can become more dangerous. Wet leaves and early frosts can create slippery conditions if wet or snow-covered surfaces, including standing puddles and leaf-filled entryways, are not properly cleared.

Property owners should remove wet leaves as soon as possible, even though they may become difficult to rake.

Accidents Caused by Poor Lighting

As the number of daylight hours grows shorter, poor lighting can result in slip and fall accidents in parking lots, on decks, sidewalks and curbs, and other outdoor walking areas. Property owners may forget to put on their exterior lights as nightfall approaches earlier in the day. Without proper light, pedestrians can trip and fall when cracks, holes, and uneven surfaces are not detectable due to insufficient lighting.

Drivers may also experience problems as the timing of direct sunlight hours change. Sun glare can occur at unexpected hours as the sun’s location changes in autumn. When direct sunlight obstructs a driver’s view of the road, serious and potentially fatal car accidents can take place.

Accidents Caused by Holiday Décor

Autumn brings about the beginning of the holiday season with Halloween, which for many families is a time to decorate with colorful lights or spooky outside decorations, which require electricity to work. Unfortunately, hidden wires and cords can become significant tripping hazards.

Decorations that obstruct a pedestrian’s view, such as hanging cobwebs or large cornstalks, are other potential causes of accidents during the autumn months.

Potential Injuries

Slip and fall accidents can result in catastrophic injuries such as broken bones, internal bleeding, paralysis, concussions or traumatic brain injuries. Serious physical injuries can lead to ongoing medical expenses for treatment, medications, and rehabilitation – including physical and occupational therapy.

Individuals injured in slip and fall accidents may suffer loss of wages as they are unable to work. Negligence due to poorly maintained properties and the failure of property owners to repair problems are the sort of situations where an experienced Bear personal injury lawyer can help you obtain compensation for your injuries.

Bear Personal Injury Lawyers at Rhoades & Morrow Assist Slip and Fall Accident Victims

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries as a result of a slip and fall, you may be entitled to compensation for these injuries. Call today at 302-834-8484 or contact us online. The experienced Bear personal injury lawyers at Rhoades & Morrow fight on behalf of accident victims in Elsmere and Seaford and throughout Delaware.

A simple trip to the playground can turn into a painful experience if you or your child slip and fall or are otherwise injured. Public parks, public and private schools, daycare centers, and private homes may all have playground equipment. Unfortunately, playground accidents are common occurrences and can result in serious injuries. Anyone injured in a playground accident should seek immediate medical attention and consult an experienced Delaware accident lawyer for legal advice.

Types of Playground Injuries

Some of the injuries that occur on playgrounds include:

• Broken bones from slip and falls.
• Cuts and lacerations from broken/improperly maintained equipment.
• Dislocations.
• Concussions from falls.
• Dog bites from dogs running loose, or dogs unaccustomed to small children.

According to Delaware law, dogs must be leashed. Aside from a few exceptions, owners have strict liability for dogs that bite or injure people.

In the case of children injured in a playground accident where daycare or school staff is in charge, negligent supervision may be a factor in the accident. The ratio of staff to students is important to investigate in these cases.

Preventing Playground Accidents

There are many steps that can be taken to keep children safe from injury when they are playing including:

• Using mulch or rubber chips to provide soft surfaces to land on.
• Maintaining equipment properly, including painting with non-toxic lead-free paint, checking for rust that could indicate structural damage, and loose screws or other small parts that present a potential choking hazard.
• Posting warning signs and marking off any equipment or areas under repair that should not be used.
• Ensuring surfaces are level and free of debris to prevent slip and falls.
• Providing adequate supervision in daycare and school settings.

If You or Your Child is Injured in a Playground Accident

Probably the last thing you expect on a children’s playground is to experience an accident with serious consequences, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 45 percent of playground related injuries are serious. If this happens to you or your child, it is crucial to:

• Document the circumstances of the accident immediately with photos or videos.
• Write down exactly what happened as soon as possible before important details are forgotten.
• Get the contact information of anybody who witnessed the accident so that you can also obtain their written account.

The more evidence you can gather, the better chance of success you will have in recovering potential compensation for your injuries.

Contact an experienced premises liability lawyer who can investigate the accident and ensure that your claim is filed within the Delaware statute of limitations.

Wilmington Slip and Fall Lawyers at Rhoades & Morrow Advocate for Children Injured by the Negligence of Others

It is always a tragedy when a child is injured, but even more so when it happens at a place meant for play. Contact a dedicated Wilmington slip and fall lawyer at Rhoades & Morrow if your child has been injured in a playground accident. Our team will investigate on your behalf and ensure that negligent parties are held accountable. Call us today at 302-427-9500 for a free consultation about your case. You can also contact us online. We have three convenient locations in Wilmington, Bear, and Milford serving clients throughout the state of Delaware.

Slip and fall accidents can happen at any time of year; but the holiday rush creates crowded and sometimes chaotic shopping conditions. Moreover, store workers may be overworked or too understaffed to stay on top of hazards that arise. Winter weather brings slippery sidewalks and parking lots as shoppers try to get to their destinations.

Some common causes of slip and falls in stores include:

• torn carpeting
• uneven or broken tiles
• spilled drink or food
• unfinished construction
• overwaxed or freshly cleaned floors
• extension cords or wiring
• inadequate lighting
• broken or missing steps
• snow and ice on sidewalks outside the store
• inadequate signage for hazards such as wet floors

At first, a slip and fall injury may seem minor, but some sprains and strains can leave lasting damage. If a fall causes a victim to land on his or her back or head, the injuries could be catastrophic. Concussions and other head and neck injuries, or back injuries from slip and falls can all require extensive medical treatment and recovery periods that result in missed work.

Liability in a Slip and Fall in Store

Every property owner has a duty of care to maintain their property and keep it safe and free of foreseeable hazards. Despite this, a slip and fall in a store does not always mean the owner is responsible. A successful premises liability claim must show that there was a hazard that the owner knew about or should have known about, yet chose to neglect his or her duty instead of fixing it or properly warning the public about its existence. Furthermore, the hazard must have caused the accident and any injuries must be a direct result of the slip and fall.

Seeking Compensation

Slip and falls can be difficult to prove because the conditions that caused the fall may not stay the same. Snow and ice can melt, and a spilled drink can be cleaned up. Therefore, it is important to gather as much evidence as possible when the accident happens. Take pictures of the scene where the accident took place and of any resulting injuries. Ask witnesses for a written account of what they saw and their contact information. Injured victims should make detailed notes of what happened, because later it may be hard to remember everything clearly. It is also important to see a medical professional to document the cause and nature of the injuries.

Depending on the seriousness of the injuries, slip and fall victims are advised to seek the counsel of an experienced slip and fall lawyer who can help to determine if there is a valid premises liability claim. In Delaware, the statute of limitations is two years from the date when the injury occurred. However, the sooner the legal process is started, the better the victim’s chances are of a successful resolution.

Delaware Slip and Fall Lawyers at Rhoades & Morrow Pursue Premises Liability Claims for Those Injured in a Retail Store Fall

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, a Delaware slip and fall lawyer from Rhoades & Morrow can answer any questions you might have and help you seek compensation for your injuries. We will provide personalized representation and review your case free of charge so call 302-427-9500 today or contact us online to schedule an appointment. From our offices in Bear, Milford, and Wilmington, we represent clients throughout the state of Delaware.