Alabama schools are bustling environments where many students, teachers, and visitors gather daily. While staff often maintain these buildings to a high standard, unforeseen hazards can lead to slip-and-fall accidents that cause serious injuries, from sprains and fractures to concussions.

Falls, slips, and trips are the most frequent types of accidents for workers in elementary and secondary schools. For students, falling accounts for nearly 50% of incidents in schools, leading to moderate and severe injuries.

Understanding common fall hazards in schools can help prevent accidents. If you or your child were injured in an unsafe school environment, our Alabama slip-and-fall accident lawyers can assist with your claim.

Common Slip-and-Fall Hazards in Schools

Different areas throughout the school can present slip-and-fall risks if not properly maintained. Some common hazards include:

Wet Flooring

Wet flooring is one of the most common slip hazards in schools, often resulting from spills in the cafeteria, water tracked in from outside, or recently mopped surfaces. Bathrooms are particularly prone to this issue due to leaking or overflowing sinks and toilets.

Schools can manage these risks by placing “Wet Floor” signs and non-slip mats in cafeterias, art rooms, entryways, and busy corridors, where spills and moisture often occur. Maintenance teams should also check bathrooms and locker rooms to address leaks and keep these areas dry and safe for students and staff.

Cluttered Classrooms and Hallways

Cluttered spaces can create tripping hazards in classrooms, hallways, or storage areas. Books, backpacks, electrical cords, and other items left on the floor are common causes of trip and fall accidents.

To prevent accidents caused by clutter, schools and parents can do the following:

• Encourage teachers to maintain organized and clutter-free classrooms to help keep walkways clear.
• Establish clear guidelines for where students place their belongings.
• Conduct regular maintenance checks to ensure cords stay secured and items remain stored away from pathways.
• Report unsafe storage or clutter to administration for prompt attention.

Playground Hazards

While playgrounds are essential for children’s physical activity and social development, they can also be hotbeds for slip-and-fall accidents. Annually, ER departments treat around 218,851 playground-related injuries in the U.S. Wet surfaces, loose gravel, and uneven ground can all contribute to these hazards.

Schools must assign staff to regularly inspect playground equipment for safety and maintain surfaces in good condition. Third-party contractors or maintenance teams can install soft surfacing materials like rubber mulch to cushion falls and reduce injury risk. These teams can also ensure proper drainage, preventing water pooling and creating slip hazards.

Seasonal Hazards

Seasonal weather changes impact the safety of school environments. Wet leaves in the fall can create a slip hazard, and ice and snow accumulate in winter. These elements can make outdoor walkways and entrances particularly dangerous.

Schools should have a solid plan for dealing with seasonal hazards. These actions can include:

• Removing leaves and debris from walkways to prevent slips in the fall
• Placing non-slip mats at entrances to reduce the risk of slipping from wet footwear
• Applying salt or sand to icy paths and steps during winter months
• Installing adequate lighting around walkways and entrances to improve visibility
• Conducting regular inspections of stairs and handrails to ensure stability
• Fixing cracks and uneven surfaces on sidewalks and playgrounds
• Educating students and staff about reporting slippery or hazardous conditions
• Scheduling prompt maintenance to address water pooling on outdoor surfaces

Understanding Premises Liability and Sovereign Immunity

For standard premises liability, property owners must keep their premises safe for visitors and may face liability if someone gets injured due to hazardous conditions. Public schools, however, are often protected by sovereign immunity, a legal doctrine that shields government entities from being sued without consent.

If your child suffers an injury at school, sovereign immunity may complicate your case, but you can still hold them liable in certain circumstances. For instance, if a school demonstrates gross negligence, such as ignoring a known safety hazard, or commits intentional misconduct, you can work with an attorney to file a claim and seek compensation.

Work With the Experienced Team at The Vance Law Firm Injury Lawyers

Slip-and-fall accidents on school property can lead to complicated premise liability claims for injured children, staff, or visitors. But with the help of a qualified attorney from The Vance Law Firm Injury Lawyers, you can seek a fair settlement for your injuries.

Contact us for a free consultation. We can review your case and discuss a winning legal strategy to help you get the financial support you deserve.