What Are the Most Common Causes of Slips, Trips and Falls in Florida?

You’re strolling through The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens, scanning the store windows ahead, when your foot suddenly slips on a wet patch you barely noticed. Or maybe you’re enjoying the open-air vibe at Harbourside Place in Jupiter, only to catch your toe on an uneven sidewalk. Surprised and off-balance, you realize just how easy it is for a simple outing to end in a fall. 

These incidents occur more often than you might think, sending many Palm Beach County residents to nearby medical facilities like Jupiter Medical Center and Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center every year. Moments like these, while ordinary, can become high-risk situations if you don’t know what to look for. 

Understanding the most common causes of slips, trips and falls can mean the difference between a routine afternoon and a painful emergency room visit. In Jupiter and the surrounding counties, several factors contribute to these accidents. In this blog, we’ll look at how local weather conditions, changing infrastructure, and everyday maintenance lapses all play a role in creating the potential for a fall around practically any corner.

Weather-Related Hazards  

Florida’s characteristic afternoon thunderstorms and high humidity leave surfaces slick and unpredictable. Rainwater tracked into buildings turns polished floors into slippery hazards, and sun-faded warning signs are harder to notice. Over time, intense sunlight causes outdoor signage and paint lines to fade, reducing the visibility of steps, ramps, or curbs.

Buildings often feature weather mats near entrances to absorb moisture. While these can mitigate slip risks, they also create new problems if they curl at the edges, become saturated, or shift out of place. That split second when your foot catches on a bunched-up rug or you lose traction on a drenched floor can lead to a hard fall.

Poorly Maintained Flooring  

Uneven tiles, loose carpeting, and damaged floorboards cause countless falls each year. Business owners must maintain their premises according to Florida Statute 768.0755, which addresses business establishment liability for transitory foreign substances. When they fail to repair or replace damaged flooring promptly, people get hurt.

Common flooring issues in Florida include:

• Cracked tiles from foundation settling in our sandy soil
• Warped wooden flooring due to humidity changes
• Loose threshold strips between different flooring types
• Deteriorating grout lines that create uneven surfaces
• Buckled carpeting from improper installation or age

Inadequate Lighting  

Florida’s bright sunshine might lull you into thinking visibility is always perfect, but stepping into a dimly lit hallway or underground parking garage can feel like walking blindfolded. When you cannot see potential hazards, your odds of tripping increase dramatically. Dark stairwells, poorly illuminated corridors, and shadowy walkways hide changes in elevation or spilled liquids. 

According to the Florida Building Code, property owners must maintain adequate illumination in public areas. If they fail to do so, those murky corners become invitations to trip and fall. Even transitions from bright to dim spaces pose risks. Your eyes may need time to adjust, and if obstacles lurk in the shadows, you could lose your footing before you know what hit you.

Faulty Handrails and Stairs  

Stairs are a common feature in buildings across Florida, from parking garages to beachside condos. However, uneven steps, broken handrails, or loose stair treads can transform a simple flight of stairs into a serious danger zone. 

If you try to steady yourself on a wobbly handrail and it gives way, you could find yourself hurtling downward with no support. Even a single loose step can catch your toe and send you toppling. Proper maintenance and stable handrails help keep stair-related falls in check.

Construction Site Hazards  

With Florida’s constant development, construction sites dot our cities and towns. Loose materials, tools, and debris on walkways create tripping hazards for pedestrians. Under Florida Statute 553.84, individuals who are harmed by violations of the building code may have a cause of action. This means property owners and contractors can be held liable if they fail to follow the building code standards, resulting in unsafe conditions.

Common construction-related hazards to look out for include:

• Uneven temporary walkways
• Poorly marked construction zones
• Debris from ongoing work
• Temporary utility covers and plates
• Inadequate barriers between construction areas and public spaces

Being aware of these areas and proceeding cautiously can make a difference, but ultimately, proper site management is key to reducing risks.

Pool Area Accidents  

With Florida’s abundance of pools, slippery pool decks are a frequent source of accidents. Water, sunscreen, and cleaning chemicals create slick surfaces, and algae can flourish in humid conditions. Although Florida Statute 515.29 sets safety requirements for public pools, hazards still occur when regular maintenance falls short. Textured surfaces and special coatings can increase traction, but if not kept in good condition, these measures lose their effectiveness.

Restaurant and Retail Spills  

Food courts, grocery stores, and restaurants are hubs of activity. Drinks spill, ice melts, and fresh produce occasionally drops onto floors. If staff members fail to clean these messes quickly or do not post visible warnings, patrons may slip. 

During peak tourist seasons, these establishments become especially busy, making it harder for employees to catch every spill. Even so, the law requires them to take reasonable measures to keep floors safe. Overlooking a puddle of soda or a slick patch of salad dressing can lead to painful falls.

Parking Lot Problems  

Florida’s sun beats down on parking lots, causing cracks, potholes, and uneven pavement. Add frequent rain, and these imperfections fill with water, masking the depth of a hole or the presence of a raised edge. Some properties might ignore ongoing maintenance, leaving broken curbs and eroded markings. Even subtropical vegetation contributes to hazards, as palm tree roots can push up pavement, creating unexpected changes in elevation.

Prevention and Responsibility

While these hazards are common in our area, you can take steps to protect yourself. Start by staying alert to your surroundings, keeping your eyes on the path ahead instead of your phone, and choosing footwear that matches the conditions. When you spot dangerous situations, notify property managers or business owners right away — your report could prevent someone else from getting hurt.

By understanding these common causes, you can stay alert and aware of potential hazards as you go about your daily activities in Florida. If you encounter unsafe conditions, speaking up not only protects you but also others who might face the same risks.

Injured in a Slip and Fall? We’re Here to Support Your Recovery

Despite watching your step and staying alert, accidents can still happen. When they do, you need support from a slip, trip and fall lawyer who understands the complexities of slip and fall cases in Palm Beach County.

At Britto & Herman Injury Lawyers, we recognize how a sudden fall can disrupt your life, leading to medical bills, lost work time, and physical recovery challenges. Board Certified Trial Lawyer Daniel Britto, Esq., and Michael S. Herman, Jr., Esq., bring their combined experience to every case, fighting for the compensation you need to move forward.

Our team thoroughly investigates each incident, from weather-related falls to accidents caused by poor maintenance. We handle the legal details – like meeting Florida’s statute of limitations and dealing with insurance companies – while you focus on recovery.

If your online search for a “trip and fall lawyer” or “personal injury lawyer near me” led you to this blog, call us at (561) 835-5555 or fill out our confidential online form to schedule your free consultation. Whether your fall occurred at The Gardens Mall, Harbourside Place, or anywhere else in Florida, we’re ready to help you seek justice. Contact us today – we’re available 24/7 to discuss your case and protect your rights.

Britto & Herman Injury Lawyers – The Voice for Florida Injury Victims

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The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

Britto & Herman Injury Lawyers
1001 W Indiantown Rd., Suite 101
Jupiter, FL 33458
(561) 835-5555
https://www.brittoherman.com/