As the holidays approach, many people have found themselves wishing for a snowy holiday in Illinois. In many parts of the state, there is still no snow which may be disappointing to those who want to be out skiing or building snowmen. One group of people who may actually be pleased by the lack of the icy, wet snow is business owners. Winter brings an increase in slip, trip and fall workplace accidents which can cost business a lot of money.
The results of slipping or tripping can range from minor injuries to suffering
According to some reports, many business owners are negligent in maintaining entrances and other highly-trafficked areas. A number of places may not have appropriate floor mats around entryways. If a business owner has mats, they may not be slip-resistant or cleaned properly. Even if a business makes it a point to have proper matting, most businesses cannot afford to maintain them properly. They become dirty and unsafe without a trained professional looking after them.
Business owners and employers know how costly an accident on their grounds can be. The National Safety Council reports that business owners spend about $70 billion on worker compensation claims. Because Americans spend more hours at a workplace than in almost every other country, it is not uncommon to get injured on the job. In fact, a large percentage of accidents happen at work.
While employers may be aware of the dangers presented, they do not all manage the hazardous environment. When an injury does happen at work, a company could be held liable for some or all medical expenses, lost wages and other damages that come about as a result of the accident.
Source: The Sacramento Bee, "'Tis the Season for Slip, Trip, and Fall Claims," Dec. 12, 2011
