Everyday Activities That Send People to the ER
Emergency rooms treat millions of injuries every year, many of which could have been avoided with a little more caution, according to a recent news report.
In 2025 alone, more than 155 million people visited emergency rooms, and roughly 40 million of those visits were due to injuries. While some accidents are unavoidable, there are some everyday habits that put people at unnecessary risk. Here are a few common situations that lead to preventable injuries -- and, in some cases, potential legal claims.
Distracted Walking: More Dangerous – and More Common - Than You Think
Cell phones have become our constant companions, but they’re also one of the biggest sources of distraction. When people text, scroll, or take calls while walking, they often stop paying attention to their surroundings.
The result? Trips, falls, collisions with objects -- or worse, stepping into traffic. These risks become even greater when sidewalks or walkways are poorly maintained. Cracked pavement, uneven surfaces, or hidden hazards can easily cause someone who isn’t fully focused to fall.
Legally speaking, property owners have a responsibility to maintain reasonably safe conditions for people walking across their property. If someone is injured because of a dangerous or poorly maintained walkway, the property owner may be liable for the resulting injuries.
Spring Recreation Risks
As the weather warms up, people naturally head outdoors for recreation. Unfortunately, this time of year also brings an increase in recreation-related trips to the ER.
Spring sports and outdoor activities can lead to injuries when playing fields, courts, or recreational spaces are not properly maintained. Uneven turf, hidden holes, damaged goalposts, broken bleachers, or poorly secured equipment can all create dangerous conditions for athletes and spectators alike. Trips, falls, and collisions can result in sprains, fractures, or head injuries.
Property owners, leagues, and organizations responsible for maintaining these spaces have a duty to address known hazards and keep recreational areas reasonably safe. When they fail to do so, and someone is injured as a result, it may raise questions about negligence.
Attractive Nuisances
Emergency rooms also regularly treat trampoline-related injuries, including fractures of the toes, feet, and ankles, as well as head and neck injuries. In some cases, these accidents happen because trampolines are unsupervised or unsecured. From a legal perspective, trampolines are considered an “attractive nuisance.” This term refers to something on a property that is likely to attract children, who may not fully understand the risks involved.
Property owners have a duty to take reasonable steps to protect against this danger. That could mean securing the trampoline with fencing, limiting access, or removing it entirely. If a property owner knows about the potential danger and fails to address it, they could be held responsible if a child is injured.
Tom Duffy is a top Philadelphia premises liability injury attorney. If you would like to discuss a potential legal matter with him, please contact us. There is no fee for a consultation.