The terms ‘slip and fall’ and ‘trip and fall’ are often used interchangeably, but their meanings differ from a legal point of view. Both types of accidents are common, and thousands of individuals incur serious injuries because of them every year. If you were to differentiate between the two, you would probably be at a loss for words. However, a seasoned New York Personal Injury Attorney should be able to explain the disparity, as well as how the distinction affects your compensation claim. Personal injury claims related to both kinds of accidents are typically associated with premises liability.

Slip & Fall Accidents and Injuries

Slip and fall accidents occur on slippery surfaces, i.e. a person slips and falls due to insufficient friction between the feet and floor. Friction enables traction, which helps us maintain grip and balance. The friction between foot and ground can be reduced due to a number of reasons, such as the structure of the base of a shoe, and the level of moisture on the surface. Shoes with a flat external sole or high center of gravity are more susceptible to slipping.

When a person slips, they are likely to fall backwards because the foot slides forward instead of adhering to the ground. The person’s center of mass shifts to the rear and thus they topple towards the backside. Slip and fall accidents may result in severe injuries that cause long-term incapacitation. The extent of injury is reduced if the victim is able to grab onto something to stop or slow down the fall.

Common examples of slippery surfaces:

• Waxed or polished hard floors
• Surfaces covered in lubricant
• Spilled liquid over a surface
• Water overflow causing wet floor
• Ice Rink
• Moist surface due to condensation
• Carpets that lack in weight and traction

Common types of Slip & Fall injuries:

• Sprained ankles and wrists
• Backbone/spinal injuries
• Traumatic head injury
• Dislocated shoulder

Trip & Fall Accidents and Injuries

Trip and fall accidents happen when a person’s foot collides with an object or irregularity on the surface and stumbles. The victim is unable to bring the other foot forward or adjust their gait in time to stop the fall. When a person trips over something, they are likely to fall face forward, which is contrary to slip and fall accidents. When a person is walking, they are required to put one foot forward after another in a continuous pattern. If a foot is unexpectedly blocked or gets stuck, a person fails to accommodate the forward motion of their upper body.

Slip and fall accidents may occur due to overestimating one’s grip on the ground, whereas trip and fall accidents are often related to misjudging a step or stance. However, the majority of trip and fall incidents take place when someone encounters an object that is not supposed to be lying in their way.

Examples of conditions leading to trip and fall accidents:

• Uneven flooring, as a result of erosion, wear & tear, water damage, etc.
• Scattered objects on the floor that are heavy or prone to tangle, such as rope, big rocks, box full of heavy items, etc.
• Elevation or difference of height between two connected surfaces, such as the road and footpath

Common types of Trip & Fall injuries:

• Foot and ankle injuries
• Cuts or abrasion on exposed skin
• Broken bones or dislocated joints in fingers/toes
• Neck injury/displacement
• Arm and leg fractures