While masks help prevent the spread of COVID-19, wearing them comes with some annoyances like fogged glasses or slipping masks that may increase your risk of being involved in a slip-and-fall accident. Most people deal with these annoyances because the benefits outweigh the risks. However, if you are suffering from a mask-related injury, you might be ready to throw out your covering altogether. To stop yourself from doing something rash, here are some things to remember.
Can a mask increase your chances of being involved in a slip-and-fall?
A slip-and-fall accident occurs when a person falls as a result of walking on a slippery surface. If you are wearing a mask, you might miss clues that the floors are slippery because of some common issues. Glasses tend to get foggy when you wear a mask because the hot air from your breath escapes from the top of your covering and lands on the cooler surface of your glasses. Ill-fitting one-size-fit-all masks sometimes require constant readjustment. So you could miss cues that a slippery surface is ahead. Finally, because masks distort sound, you may be unable to hear or understand someone telling you to avoid a slippery surface.
Are there anyways to reduce the risk of a mask-related slip-and-fall injury?
Yes. If you wear glasses, look for a mask with a metal wire sewn in that goes over your nose bridge. You can bend and flex the wire so that it fits the shape of your nose and prevents hot air from escaping. You can also rinse your glasses with soap or an anti-fogging solution for additional protection. If your mask keeps slipping, tie a knot in the elastic around your ears before you leave the house. Finally, if you find that your communication is muffled, speaking slowly, clearly, and as deliberately as possible will increase your chances of being understood.
Were you injured in a mask-related slip-and-fall accident? We can help.
Property owners (or their employees) are still responsible for keeping surfaces free from water or agents that might cause them to be slippery, even during the COVID-19 crisis. They are not relieved of this duty because pedestrians and patrons are wearing masks. If you’ve been involved in a mask-related slip-and-fall accident, the experienced attorneys at the Cullotta Bravo Law Group can help. Contact us or call at 630-898-7800 to schedule a consultation today.
