Attorneys James T. Carey and P. Zachary Stewart

Pursuing your Claims. Protecting your Rights.

What are slip and fall scams?

On Behalf of | Sep 16, 2021 | Personal Injury, Slip-And-Fall

Slip and fall incidents can result in a severe injury that can impact everything from physical health to mental well-being. Falls account for around 1 million emergency room trips per year, as well, just to get a handle on the scope of the problem.

But unfortunately, as with any potential money-making opportunity, fraudsters find a way to turn slip and fall incidents in their favor. What should homeowners, property owners and others with liability insurance know about these scams?

The rise of slip and fall scams

Forbes discusses the rise of slip and fall scams. This involves fake injury claims filed by fraudsters who essentially slip and hit the ground on purpose in order to cash in on the liability insurance of property owners. Between 2017 and 2019, a notable rise in this form of questionable claim has risen.

To break down the 2019 statistics further, 79 percent of the 6,471 questionable slip and fall claims occurred in public places. This largely involves places like retail stores, restaurants and parking lots. But 11 percent targeted homeowners who often have insurance policies. Unfortunately, this is an increase of 39 percent between the years 2017 and 2019.

Red flags indicating scams

Homeowners can protect themselves by keeping an eye out for potential red flags of a fraudulent or questionable claim. Some include:

  • Witnesses who are overly enthusiastic to react to and report the incident that supposedly occurred
  • The use of props, such as broken glass, to make claims even more exaggerated
  • The use of legal terms and a familiarity with litigation
  • The injured person immediately leaping to threats of litigation, i.e. suing you

Noticing such signs should potentially serve as a prompt to seek legal representation as well.

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