Your company’s bathroom is both one of the most frequented, and likely one of the most dangerous spaces for both employees and clients. One of the most obvious liabilities present in the space is slip-and-fall accident risks. The problem is that if one of these hazards occurs, then your business might bear responsibility for the third party’s injuries. These injuries, in turn, might prove very costly.
Still, as long as you have general liability insurance for your operation, then you will have a resource available to help you react when any accidents occur, including those that might beckon in your bathroom. In the end, coverage will make sure that injured customers will get the help they need without costing your business an arm and a leg.
General liability insurance is one of the most important safeguards against problems stemming from slips-and-falls. How can you guarantee you have the right coverage?
Slip-and-Fall Risks in Bathrooms
It’s pretty obvious that bathrooms can be dangerous, particularly when it comes to fall risks. Anyone who uses the restroom could get hurt at any time, even if you have done all you can to observe proper safety precautions.
At the end of the day, the most-recognizable fall risk is the threat posed by leaking or standing water. Overflowing toilets and sinks, leaky pipes, recently mopped floors and even water dripping from someone’s wet hands might create these risks. Still, other fall risks might exist because of:
- Slick or loose flooring
- Floors littered with paper products
- Improperly functioning safety rails
- Broken toilet seats
Should any of these hazards cause someone to fall, their injuries might prove severe. Consider the damage a client who falls in your store’s restroom might suffer:
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Concussions or head injuries
- Sprains
- Mental anguish
- Back or other musculoskeletal injuries
Of course, such injuries might cause significant medical costs for the injured party. Their hospitalization, rehabilitation and other recovery bills might skyrocket. On top of that, they might also not be able to work following their injury. As a result, their ability to make an income will be impacted, and they might face a significant risk of financial insecurity.
All in all, the fact that someone’s injury resulted from them patronizing your business might lead to them blaming you for their losses. Even if you didn’t intend for an accident to happen, that doesn’t mean you won’t be responsible the fact that it did. As a result, the injured party might demand compensation or even sue you to receive proper compensation. Between legal fees, settlement costs and countless other monetary burdens, the effects of a customer injury on your business could be devastating. Your liability insurance will be there to make sure you are able to fight it off, nonetheless.
When Your Policy Covers You
Insurers and risk management experts recognize that slip-and-fall risks are among the most prevalent causes of injuries in any workplace. As a result, your general liability insurance will include the appropriate bodily injury coverage that will result from such accidents. Therefore, if the worst ever does happen, you’ll still be able to emerge unscathed despite having to take responsibility for your losses.
Yet, though your policy might cover you, that does not mean you shouldn’t try to prevent liability claims arising from bathroom injuries. You can do so by keeping the bathroom clean and dry at all times. If you have a spill or a leak, mop it up, and keep ample wet floor signs on hand. You will also have to make regular repairs should hazards arise in the room. Keep your eye on things, check out the room daily, and respond regularly to client complaints.
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