Slips and falls on concrete are unforgiving and injuries are serious. Trip, slip and fall injury lawyer David Azizi has helped clients for 25 years to recoup the financial loss they experienced in slip,trip and fall accidents. If you’ve been injured, call us at (800) 991-5292 any time day or night, any day of the week. We will schedule a no-cost case review, where David will answer your questions, provide an estimate of what your case is worth and explain your options. Don’t hesitate since there are time limits for filing your case.
What You Should Do After Falling on Concrete
Concrete is everywhere from city sidewalks and private walkways to steps and ramps going into buildings. The main advantage of concrete is its durability and hardness. Falling on concrete can result in serious injuries in many cases such as broken limbs, hip fractures and head injuries.
Ways Slips, Trips, and Falls Happen on Concrete
There are several ways slip and fall accidents happen on concrete. One is when the walkway or sidewalk is uneven or has a uplift that causes the individual to trip, falling onto the surrounding concrete.
Another is when the concrete has been treated, making it slippery. One such treatment is called stamped concrete. In this instance, the concrete is laid, and forms made of plastic or metal are used to put a pattern in the concrete, simulating brick or even a tile pattern. Since this process does not use the typical broom brushing performed on laid concrete, the surface of the stamped concrete can be slippery when wet.
One way around this is to apply a non-slip sealer that can also help protect colored concrete. The anti-slip ingredient must be added to the sealer and used right away after mixing to make sure the traction is improved. If the procedure is not done properly, the anti-slip component of the sealer will not work.
Proving a Contractor Failed to Take Adequate Precautions Against Slip and Fall
It may be necessary to prove that a contractor failed to do his or her job adequately when laying a concrete walkway. ASTM International is an organization that provides technical standards for materials that are used by contractors. ASTM F1637 – 13 is a standard practice for safe walking surfaces. This standard covers design and maintenance guidelines. It cautions that walkways should be slip resistant and painted concrete surfaces need to have an abrasive additive or the use of other techniques such as texturing to make the surface slip resistant, particularly in wet conditions.
If this is not done, the contractor may be considered negligent. In such cases, the contractor should be able to prove that slip-resistant additive was purchased and used. In addition, tests done on the concrete should show if it was slip resistant. Such treatments can become less effective over time. It is important to establish an inspection protocol to evaluate this.
Garage Polished Concrete Floors
Many homeowners are using polished concrete in garages. This is primarily done for the aesthetics and so the floor will not absorb oils and other stains. However, the polished concrete floors are slippery when wet or exposed to oils or grease. Anti-slip conditioners can be used on the floors, however, they must be reapplied on a regular basis. As with stamped concrete, a sealer with an anti-slip additive can be used.
If a guest or tenant slips on a polished concrete floor, the homeowner or landlord/rental management company may be liable if warnings were not given about the slip potential of the floor.
Contact the Law Offices of David Azizi If You Have Fallen on Concrete
If you have fallen on concrete, call the Law Offices of David Azizi. David will evaluate the situation at a free, no-obligation case evaluation and use expert opinion to determine whether uplifts or lack of anti-slip additives occurred. Remember, unless you win your case, no fees are expected. Call (800) 991-5292 to schedule, and let David take the lead in making sure you are compensated for the financial loss you’ve suffered due to another’s negligence.
