Slip, Trip, and Fall Statistics in Texas [Updated 2026]

TX Slip, trip, and fall statistics show 200,000 emergency room visits annually, with falls ranking second among unintentional injury deaths. Older adults and construction workers face the highest risk. Most falls occur in homes, stores, and job sites, creating billions of dollars annually in medical costs, lost wages, and long-term care expenses statewide.

Slip, trip, and fall accidents happen every day across Texas and often strike without warning. People get hurt at construction sites, grocery stores, apartment complexes, workplaces, and even in their own homes. What seems like a minor misstep can lead to broken bones, head injuries, or permanent disability. Older adults are especially vulnerable, but falls affect Texans of all ages. Medical bills and missed work can start piling up immediately after a fall. Many families underestimate how serious and costly these accidents can be.

The risk is that falls are often dismissed as simple accidents when they are actually preventable hazards. Dangerous conditions like wet floors, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, and unsafe stairways are common throughout Texas. Premises liability laws are complex, and fault is often disputed, making it easy for property owners and insurers to deny responsibility. Missing deadlines or failing to document the scene can permanently block your ability to recover compensation. The financial impact can extend far beyond initial treatment into long-term care and lost earning capacity.

In this article, you will discover the latest slip, trip, and fall statistics in Texas, where and why these accidents happen most often, who is most at risk, and how a slip and fall lawyer in Texas can help victims seek compensation.

Texas Slip, Trip, and Fall at a Glance

In Texas, slip, trip, and fall accidents affect thousands of people every year, making them one of the top causes of injury-related emergency room visits statewide. These accidents happen everywhere, from your home to busy shopping centers in Houston, and the numbers keep growing.

Key Takeaways

Here are the most important facts about falls in Texas:

• Annual Texas fall injuries: Over 200,000 Texans visit emergency rooms for fall-related injuries each year.
• Fatal falls in Texas: Falls rank as the second leading cause of unintentional injury death in the state.
• Most affected groups: Adults over 65 and construction workers face the highest risks.
• Economic impact: Fall injuries cost Texas families and businesses billions in medical bills and lost wages annually.
• Leading locations: Most workplace falls happen on construction sites, while home bathrooms and store aisles see the most civilian accidents.

Understanding these numbers helps you see why taking fall prevention seriously matters for your safety and your wallet.

How Many Slip, Trip, and Fall Injuries Happen in Texas

Texas tracks fall injuries through hospital records, workers’ compensation claims, and emergency room data. A “reportable fall injury” means any fall that requires medical treatment or causes you to miss work.

The state’s growing population means more people are at risk every year. As Texas’ population grows, more people may be at risk for fall-related accidents.

Statewide Numbers and Rates

Texas consistently ranks among the top states for total fall injuries, though this partly reflects our large population. When you look at rates per person, Texas falls closer to the national average.

The numbers show that fall injuries affect all age groups, but the severity and frequency increase dramatically after age 65. Working-age adults face different risks, with construction and warehouse workers seeing the most serious accidents.

Trends Since 2012

Fall injuries remain a significant concern in Texas. This increase comes from both population growth and an aging population that faces higher fall risks.

Construction-related falls have remained consistently high despite new safety regulations. The boom in Texas construction means more workers are exposed to fall hazards daily.

Where Falls Happen in Texas

Location matters when it comes to fall accidents. Certain places have hazards that increase the risk of falls, and knowing them can help you stay alert.

Homes and Apartments

Your home is actually where you’re most likely to fall. Bathrooms with wet floors, stairs without proper lighting, and cluttered walkways cause thousands of accidents every year.

Kitchen spills and loose rugs are common culprits. Many people don’t realize that most serious fall injuries happen at home, not in public places.

Stores and Restaurants

Commercial properties such as grocery stores and restaurants experience frequent slip-and-fall accidents. Wet floors from spills or cleaning, dropped food items, and poor lighting create dangerous conditions.

Big box stores with concrete floors can cause especially serious injuries when falls occur. Restaurant kitchens and dining areas with tile floors become extremely slippery when wet.

Sidewalks and Parking Lots

Outdoor falls happen regularly on cracked sidewalks, uneven pavement, and poorly maintained parking lots. Texas weather creates additional hazards when rain makes surfaces slippery.

Property owners are responsible for maintaining safe walking surfaces. This includes fixing cracks, providing adequate drainage, and keeping walkways clear of debris.

Workplaces and Job Sites

Construction sites account for the majority of workplace fall fatalities in Texas. Workers on scaffolds, ladders, and roofs face extreme dangers daily.

Warehouses and factories also see many fall accidents from wet floors, equipment spills, and elevated platforms. Office buildings aren’t immune either, with falls occurring on stairs and in parking garages.

Top Causes of Slips, Trips, and Falls in Texas

Most falls aren’t random accidents but result from specific, preventable hazards. Understanding these causes helps you recognize dangerous situations before they hurt you.

Wet or Slippery Floors

Wet floors cause more slip-and-fall accidents than any other single factor. This includes everything from grocery store spills to freshly mopped restaurant floors.

Florida law refers to these as transient foreign substances on walking surfaces. The key legal question is whether the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard.

Uneven Surfaces

Cracked pavement, torn carpeting, and uneven floor transitions create trip hazards that catch people off guard. Texas’s shifting soil can cause concrete to buckle, creating dangerous walking surfaces.

These hazards are particularly dangerous because people don’t expect them. A small height difference of just half an inch can cause a serious fall.

Poor Lighting

Inadequate lighting hides hazards that would be visible in proper light. Stairwells, parking garages, and hallways with burned-out bulbs create dangerous conditions.

Texas building codes require minimum lighting levels for safety. When property owners don’t maintain proper lighting, they can be held legally responsible for accidents.

Weather Hazards

Texas weather creates unique fall risks that residents need to understand:

• Ice storms: Rare but extremely dangerous when they occur, making all outdoor surfaces treacherous.
• Rain slicks: Oil and water combine to create slippery conditions on roads and in parking lots.
• Heat-related falls: Extreme summer heat can cause dehydration and dizziness, which can lead to falls.

Clutter and Obstacles

Boxes in store aisles, electrical cords across walkways, and misplaced equipment create trip hazards in both commercial and workplace settings. These hazards are completely preventable with proper maintenance and attention.

Who Faces the Highest Risk in Texas

While anyone can fall, certain groups face much higher risks due to age, occupation, or health factors. Knowing if you’re in a high-risk group helps you take extra precautions.

Older Adults

Adults over 65 face the greatest fall risk of any group. Age-related changes in balance, vision, and bone strength make falls both more likely and more dangerous.

Medications can increase fall risk by causing dizziness or drowsiness. Many older adults take multiple medications that can interact and affect balance.

Construction and Warehousing Workers

Construction workers face the highest risk of fatal falls in Texas. The nature of construction work puts people on ladders, scaffolds, and roofs where a fall can be deadly.

Warehouse workers also face significant risks from loading docks, equipment, and slippery floors. The fast-paced environment can lead to shortcuts that increase the risk of accidents.

Children and Teens

Young people suffer fall injuries on playgrounds, at sports events, and around the home. While often less severe than adult falls, these accidents can still cause broken bones and head injuries.

Active children may not recognize hazards that adults would avoid. Playgrounds with improper surfaces or damaged equipment pose particular risks.

Costs of Falls in Texas

A serious fall creates financial burdens that extend far beyond the initial medical treatment. Understanding these costs helps you see why prevention and proper legal representation matter.

Medical Costs

Fall injuries create enormous medical expenses that can devastate your finances:

• Emergency room visits: Initial treatment often costs thousands of dollars.
• Hospitalization: Extended stays for serious injuries can reach tens of thousands of dollars.
• Surgery and rehabilitation: Hip replacements, brain injury treatment, and physical therapy add massive costs.
• Long-term care: Some falls require ongoing assistance or placement in a nursing home.

Many people don’t realize that insurance doesn’t cover all these costs, and understanding first-party and third-party insurance claims can help determine what compensation is available.

Lost Workdays and Wages

Falls often prevent you from working for weeks or months. Lost wages during recovery can create immediate financial stress for your family.

Some falls cause permanent disabilities that affect your ability to earn money in the future. This loss of earning capacity can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars over your lifetime.

What Texas Law Means for Your Claim

Texas premises liability law determines whether you can recover money after a fall on someone else’s property. Understanding these rules helps you protect your rights from the moment of an accident.

Premises Liability Basics

Premises liability is the legal concept that holds property owners responsible for injuries on their property when negligence is proven in Houston. The owner’s duty to you depends on why you were there.

If you’re a customer in a store, you’re an “invitee,” and the owner owes you the highest duty of care. Social guests are “licensees” with fewer protections, while trespassers have almost no rights.

Comparative Fault 51 Percent Rule

Texas uses a modified comparative fault system that can limit or eliminate your recovery. If you’re found more than 50% at fault for your fall, you get nothing.

Even if you’re partially at fault, your recovery gets reduced by your percentage of blame. For example, if you’re 20% at fault for a $100,000 injury, you only recover $80,000.

Government Property Notice Rules

Falls on city, county, or state property are subject to special rules with much shorter deadlines. You might have only six months to give formal notice of your claim.

Missing these deadlines can completely destroy your case. Government entities use these strict rules to protect themselves from lawsuits.

What to Do After a Slip and Fall in Texas

The actions you take immediately after a fall can determine whether you recover full compensation or nothing at all. Every decision matters in protecting your health and legal rights.

Steps to Protect Your Health

Your health comes first, even if you think your injuries are minor:

1. Get medical attention immediately: Some serious injuries like concussions don’t show symptoms right away
2. Follow all doctors’ orders: Skipping appointments or ignoring treatment recommendations hurts both your health and your case
3. Keep detailed records: Document your pain levels, limitations, and how the injuries affect your daily life

Steps to Protect Your Claim

Taking the right legal steps preserves your right to compensation:

1. Report the accident: Tell the property owner or manager immediately, and get a copy of any incident report
2. Document everything: Take photos of the hazard, the scene, and your injuries with your phone
3. Get witness information: Collect names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the fall happen
4. Preserve evidence: Keep the shoes and clothes you wore during the fall exactly as they were
5. Don’t give statements: Avoid talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer present

Looking for a Slip and Fall Attorney? Get Started with a Free Consultation

If you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall accident and need to know what to do if you’re injured in Houston, you don’t have to face the insurance companies alone. DeHoyos Accident Attorneys has over a decade of experience helping Houston-area residents get fair compensation for their injuries.

We understand that every client deserves personal attention and a Houston personal injury lawyer who truly cares about their recovery. Our personalized approach and track record of successful settlements set us apart from larger firms that treat clients like numbers.

Texas law gives you only two years to file, and waiting can hurt your case. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and insurance companies become less willing to negotiate fairly.

Contact DeHoyos Accident Attorneys today for a free consultation to learn about your legal options and how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.

FAQs

What Is the Average Slip and Fall Settlement in Texas?

Slip-and-fall settlements in Texas vary widely depending on injury severity, medical expenses, and other damages, and cases involving surgery or permanent disability typically result in substantially higher compensation. 

The exact amount depends on your specific injuries, medical costs, and how the accident affects your life, similar to how a car accident settlement is calculated.

How Long Do You Have to File a Slip and Fall Claim in Texas?

You have two years from the date of your fall to file a personal injury lawsuit in most cases. However, if your fall happened on government property, you may need to provide notice within just six months, so acting quickly is crucial.

Who Is Liable for a Slip and Fall Accident in Texas?

Property owners, business operators, or property managers can be held liable if they knew or should have known about a dangerous condition and failed to fix it or warn visitors about it. The key is proving they had notice of the hazard and didn’t take reasonable steps to address it.

What Percentage of Falls Happen Due to Slips and Trips?

Many falls are caused by slipping on wet or contaminated surfaces and by tripping over uneven surfaces or obstacles. The remaining falls have various causes, including poor lighting and weather conditions.

Do I Need a Houston Slip and Fall Lawyer for a Minor Injury?

Even seemingly minor injuries can develop complications or worsen over time, and insurance companies often try to minimize all claims regardless of severity. Consulting with an experienced Houston slip and fall attorney ensures you understand your rights and know whether to negotiate a personal injury claim or file a lawsuit for fair compensation.