Statistics overwhelming show that slip and falls are dangerous and expensive. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease and Control Prevention), one in five falls cause significant injury. The CDC further reports that falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury and are responsible for more than 95% of hip fractures. CDC statistics also show that over 800,000 people in the U.S. a year are admitted to the hospital for fall-related injuries, and annual medical costs for falls exceed a staggering $50 billion. The average hospital cost per fall is $30,000, a figure that increases with age and does not include ongoing treatment for injuries.

Given these astounding statistics, it unquestionably important for landowners to keep their premise safe for visitors. Businesses generally owe customers a duty of reasonable care to keep the property reasonably safe. Homeowners generally owe guests a duty to warn of dangerous conditions that pose an unreasonable risk of harm, so long as the owner knows of the condition and the condition is not obvious to guests. Generally, property owners do not owe a duty to trespassers, with exceptions applying to child trespassers.