Fall is finally here. With the beautiful spectacle of colorful leaves, crisp weather, festivals, and pumpkin-flavored everything also comes both slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall dangers that differentiates the autumn season from summer. Here are some common dangers to keep in mind when enjoying this time of year.

Wet Leaves

Wet leaves on a sidewalk can be surprisingly slippery. A walk to the bus stop or around the block with your dog can turn from routine to tragic very quickly. They are slick enough that the National Highway Safety Administration even warns drivers about them. Particularly after a fall rain, keep aware of the lack of traction you might find on leaf-covered sidewalks.

Darkness

Fall is the time when most people really start to notice that the days are getting shorter. The loss of two minutes of sunlight daily starts to really show this time of year. Regardless, you start and return to work at the same time. That means slowly decreasing daylight on walks, while doing chores, and traveling to and from your car or bus stop before and after your commutes. You might encounter new obstacles with little consideration to the lessening daylight in doing so. Be mindful of this and use a flashlight or your phone for light if necessary.

Early Frost

It’s Minnesota, where winter weather can happen most anytime over a six-month span. An early frost is never surprising, but it can catch you off guard. If the frost is heavy enough, leaves, steps, and walkways can become a slipping hazard. Fortunately, frost advisories and warnings are given in the state to keep you ahead of the situation.

Wet Floors

Damp leaves dry slower than pavement. Because of that, you might find that some indoor surfaces, such as the entryways to stores and office buildings, might be slick from the water tracked into the building. Be a little extra wary if you have had an precipitation in the past day.

Decorations

Fall celebrations, particularly Halloween, can be accompanied by decorations. Some of these can create hazards for pedestrians. Fallen strands of lights, pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns, and tipped decorative structures can produce tripping dangers, especially in the dark.

Obstructed Views

Those colorful leaves drifting across the sidewalk can obstruct your view of hazards in your way. Fallen tree branches and uneven sidewalks can cause trip and fall injuries. If you are unable to see the dangers in front of you, you can easily catch your toe on a tripping hazard.

Types of Injuries

How you fall, stumble, and land will determine the types of injuries you sustain. These most often include:

  • Head Injuries
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Soft Tissue Injuries
  • Broken Bones
  • Cuts and Bruises

When Can I File a Claim?

Not all of these scenarios will make for a viable claim. If there is an issue with level sidewalks and potholes that are covered by leaves, then you might have one. Sidewalks with a lip of more than ¼ of an inch can leave the property owner liable for a trip-and-fall injury. Hidden lawn equipment, like hoses and rakes, which are obscured by fallen leaves have the potential of being a tripping hazard that might garner a successful claim. Be wary of what the fall leaves might be covering.

Homeowner’s Insurance

If you are injured on a neighbor’s property, keep in mind that you won’t be suing your neighbor. Personal injury compensation involves a discussion between your attorney and their homeowner’s insurance. This is its intent. If you have been injured and face medical bills and wage loss, it is in your best interest to speak to a Minnesota slip and fall lawyer to ensure you and your family have the necessary resources to securely move through this difficult time.

As a Renter

If you are renting a home or an apartment, it is required that the landlord provide a safe path, but this does not encompass all scenarios where you might be injured. Contact an experienced lawyer to discuss your case to know what your options are.

Call Us

If you have been injured in a slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accident, call or text our Minnesota premises liability attorneys at 612-INJURED at (612) 465-8733. With slip-and-fall injuries, it is important to call soon after an accident to give your attorney an opportunity to immediately investigate before the hazards can be addressed. We will listen to your story, investigate your injury, and negotiate with the insurance company to make sure you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.