Slip-and-fall accidents can happen anywhere, but poor lighting makes them more likely. Dim or uneven lighting hides hazards, and when people can’t see where they’re stepping, they are more likely to trip or lose their balance. This can lead to serious injuries.
How poor lighting creates dangerous conditions
Dark or shadowy areas make it hard to see obstacles. A person walking through a poorly lit hallway or parking lot may not notice a step, a puddle, or an object in their path. Outdoor areas with broken streetlights or dimly lit stairwells also create risks. Even in familiar places, low visibility makes it harder to judge distances or spot changes in floor surfaces.
Glare from bright lights can also be a problem. If lighting is uneven, some areas may be too dark while others are too bright. This contrast can make it harder for the eyes to adjust, increasing the risk of missteps. Poorly placed lights can cast shadows that hide hazards, making a walkway seem clear when it’s actually unsafe.
Common places where poor lighting leads to falls
Many slip-and-fall accidents happen in places that people frequent:
- Parking lots and garages: Burnt-out bulbs, broken fixtures, or poorly placed lights can leave large areas in darkness.
- Stairwells and hallways: A missing or dim light in these areas makes it easy to miss a step or trip over an unseen object, which is why the Delaware Coalition for Injury Prevention recommends extra lighting in these areas.
- Sidewalks and walkways: Public paths with little or no lighting can make cracks, curbs, and ice difficult to see.
- Store entrances and exits: Poor lighting inside or outside a business can make it hard to see wet floors or uneven surfaces.
When lights are bright and well-placed, people can see where they are going and avoid hidden dangers. Property owners have the responsibility to ensure visitors have adequate lighting. Anyone who experiences an accident because of insufficient lighting has the right to pursue monetary damages in a civil case.