Slip and Fall Scams
"Slip and fall" is a term used for a personal injury case in which a person slips or trips and is injured on someone else's property. These cases usually fall under the broader category of cases known as "premises liability" claims.
A Slip and Fall claim, as defined by the National Insurance Crime Bureau Injury Claim Investigation Guide, "is based on the liability of real estate property owners or those who are responsible for maintaining a property for activities or conditions occurring on the land or premises. Slip and Fall claims are those involving a person slipping (or tripping) and falling due to a hazard allegedly created by the negligence of the property owner or tenant. This type of claim can be fraudulent when it is an orchestrated event where the individual creates a false and potentially dangerous scenario with the specific intent to stage a fall for monetary gain."
The NICB says in a January 5, 2021 release that "the high rate of questionable slip and fall claims impacting commercial insurance policies indicates a majority of these claims are occurring at retail stores, parking lots, or restaurants." They also say that "...homeowners are not immune to the scam. According to the data, Personal Property Homeowners policies saw a 39 percent increase from 2017 through 2019. These policies accounted for 11 percent of the total questionable slip and fall insurance claims in 2019.
Scammers, however, have not seen a need to “reinvent the wheel” when it comes to scams. According to the NICB, there have been few changes in the tactics they employ, relying on deception in order to make a profit. NICB investigators have seen cases in which a scammer hired witnesses to sign statements stating they were present when the scammer fell and was injured. Another instance in which NICB investigators were involved concerned a chiseler that stated they sustained injuries from a fall on the job, but never reported back to work after a medical check proved no injuries."
A Slip and Fall claim, as defined by the National Insurance Crime Bureau Injury Claim Investigation Guide, "is based on the liability of real estate property owners or those who are responsible for maintaining a property for activities or conditions occurring on the land or premises. Slip and Fall claims are those involving a person slipping (or tripping) and falling due to a hazard allegedly created by the negligence of the property owner or tenant. This type of claim can be fraudulent when it is an orchestrated event where the individual creates a false and potentially dangerous scenario with the specific intent to stage a fall for monetary gain."
The NICB says in a January 5, 2021 release that "the high rate of questionable slip and fall claims impacting commercial insurance policies indicates a majority of these claims are occurring at retail stores, parking lots, or restaurants." They also say that "...homeowners are not immune to the scam. According to the data, Personal Property Homeowners policies saw a 39 percent increase from 2017 through 2019. These policies accounted for 11 percent of the total questionable slip and fall insurance claims in 2019.
Scammers, however, have not seen a need to “reinvent the wheel” when it comes to scams. According to the NICB, there have been few changes in the tactics they employ, relying on deception in order to make a profit. NICB investigators have seen cases in which a scammer hired witnesses to sign statements stating they were present when the scammer fell and was injured. Another instance in which NICB investigators were involved concerned a chiseler that stated they sustained injuries from a fall on the job, but never reported back to work after a medical check proved no injuries."
Precautions you can take
To protect from these kinds of slip and fall scams, according to the NICB, consider installing video systems that can record scam artists in the act. Such recordings can be used to assist by providing evidence for the case. Additionally, for business owners and homeowners, keep common areas clear of any hazards that could result in a fall. In retail stores, aggressive employee interaction with customers will make it more difficult for scammers to set up an accident. Homeowners should be aware of common household items which could be used by a trickster such as a hose on the sidewalk, items precariously stacked in the yard, or even a child’s toy.
https://www.nicb.org/news/news-releases/slip-fall-incidents-rise-according-national-insurance-crime-bureauhttps://www.nicb.org/news/news-releases/slip-fall-incidents-rise-according-national-insurance-crime-bureau
https://www.nicb.org/news/news-releases/slip-fall-incidents-rise-according-national-insurance-crime-bureauhttps://www.nicb.org/news/news-releases/slip-fall-incidents-rise-according-national-insurance-crime-bureau