Watch Your Step! Slip or Trip and Falls

Watch your step! Slip and falls are the No. 1 cause of injuries to both supermarket customers and employees. According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) of Southlake, Texas, supermarkets pay out $450 million each year for legal expenses and to claimants for their injuries. By industry, supermarkets rank second for falls, behind restaurants. "The most likely victims are women over 60, and they typically suffer serious injuries," said NFSI executive director Russell Kendzior. The principal cause of falls are stepping on slippery surfaces and stepping onto material and debris. Shoppers rarely see wet spots or the proverbial banana peel because they are not looking for them. The problem is compounded by the fact that liquids are difficult to detect on the store's glossy polished floors. According to NFSI, falls happen most frequently at the entrance to the store. Water tracked in from outside causes slip and falls. Entry mats, poorly positioned (often moved out of position by carts) or with curled edges, cause trip and falls. Water that shoppers track in on a rainy day extends into the produce aisle, since it is usually close to the entrance. This aisle is the second most dangerous area is the supermarket. Water from produce displays and the produce itself contributes to the likelihood of slip and falls.   We handle cases that occur at all major  and independent supermarkets, stores,  and restaurants including KMART, STARBUCKS, WALMART, DUANE READE, FOOD EMPORIUM, ASSOCIATED, PATHMARK, TARGET, METS, WHOLE FOODS, FAIRWAY, C-TOWN, WESTERN BEEF, TRADER JOE’S, RITE AIDE, CVS, LIQUOR STORES, APPLEBEE’S, RED LOBSTER, MCDONALDS, BURGER KING, WENDY’S, GUY AND GALLARD, POPEYE’S, CHINESE RESTAURANTS, BARS, DELIS, APPLE BANK, CHASE, CAPITAL ONE BANK, WACOVIA, WASHINGTON MUTUAL, WAMU, KINKOS, FEDEX, UPS, UNITED STATES POST OFFICE, VERIZON, CONED.