Difference Between Slip & Fall and Trip & Fall Accidents

Paul Brannon | March 21, 2023 | Slip and Fall Accidents

Thousands of people are affected by slip and fall or trip and fall accidents each year. What may seem like a simple tumble can actually have life-changing ramifications, however, and there is some unfortunate confusion regarding proper terminology defining the kind of accident someone may have found themselves in. 

Many individuals, including lawyers and attorneys, use the two terms interchangeably, but the reality is that “slip and fall” and “trip and fall” are two very different kinds of accidents. The following article will explain the differences between the two.

Distinctions Are Important

While many do not realize that a distinction exists between slip and fall and trip and fall accidents, the law treats both mishaps differently. Therefore, if you have been in either type of accident and are seeking compensation, the ability to prove that one or the other occurred will have an important bearing on your claim.

How Do Slip and Fall Accidents Occur?

A slip and fall accident occurs when a person falls as a result of walking across a slippery surface. 

Such surfaces include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Hard floors and other surfaces covered in liquid
  • Recently waxed or cleaned hard floors
  • Hard surfaces with too much condensation
  • Specific types of carpet

One of the primary catalysts for all slip and fall accidents is people thinking they have more stable traction than they actually do. As a result, they miscalculate the grip between their feet and the surface in question, and in most instances, the person who slips will fall backward. 

When that happens, there are a specific set of injuries that can be inflicted, including:

  • Sprained wrists
  • Sprained ankles
  • Dislocated shoulders
  • Concussions
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal damage
  • Nerve damage

As is clear, the potential injuries that could result from a slip and fall accident can range in severity. If you have been injured in a slip and fall due to someone else’s negligence, you could have legal recourse. 

How Do Trip and Fall Accidents Occur?

A trip and fall accident occurs when a person trips over an object in their path and is unable to stop themselves from falling. These accidents can happen while out on a casual stroll or due to a hazard in a person’s place of work. 

Some examples of trip and fall accidents include the following:

  • Tripping on the curb when transitioning from the street to the sidewalk
  • Tripping on a sidewalk with an uneven elevation
  • Tripping on an object that has been left on the ground
  • Tripping on a door jam or some other object spiking up from the ground

Trip and fall incidents usually occur after a person fails to bring their foot up fast enough to avoid an object in their path. This can occur because they did not see the object or misjudged its distance from their body. As a result, trip and fall accidents generally result in the victim falling forward as opposed to backward, which means the injuries that result from a trip and fall are also distinct. 

Such injuries can include any of the following:

  • Cuts and other abrasions
  • Thumb sprains
  • Foot injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Fractures
  • Broken bones, especially in the limbs and fingers

Just like slip and falls, the injuries sustained from a trip and fall mishap can be severe, which is why it is vital to seek compensation if you have been involved in an accident that occurred due to someone else’s negligence.

Stay Safe and Avoid Slip & Fall and Trip & Fall Accidents

Now that you know more about the differences between slip and fall and trip and fall accidents, you’re ready to practice a little extra vigilance and share your knowledge with others. Always be aware of your surroundings, including structural hazards that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Contact Our Slip & Fall Accident Law Firm in Northwest Florida

If you need legal assistance, contact the Destin slip & fall lawyers at Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We have two convenient locations in Northwest Florida:

Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Destin Office
4507 Furling Ln Suite 214
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 790-0243

Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Fort Walton Beach Office
975 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 863-5297