Abstract:

Falls account for more than one million injuries each year in the United States. To understand why there are so may falls, investigators should understand the principles of human movement and the complexity of same-surface slip and fall accidents. They should also have a working knowledge of floor materials, cleaning methods and lighting. Slip meters are useful for providing a standard with which to compare floor surfaces. When reconstructing a slip-and-fall accident, investigators should compare their findings to building codes and industry standards.