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Home Slips and falls most often hurt hands or feet – Every combined member of the YTK has comprehensive leisure accident insurance

Slips and falls most often hurt hands or feet – Every combined member of the YTK has comprehensive leisure accident insurance

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  • Insurance
  • Member benefit
  • Well-being and leisure

Slips and falls are one of the most common accidents in winter. Fortunately, only 4 % of them result in serious injury. The YTK Worklife Leisure Accident Insurance covers the costs of treatment and possible compensation for both minor and major injuries.

“From an insurance company’s point of view, this is how we would hope that people would prepare for different weather conditions with suitable shoes – and concentrate when getting around,” says Marianne Noori, Service Manager at LähiTapiola.  
 
This could prevent numerous slip and fall accidents every year. The Ministry of Transport and Communications estimates (2022) that around 75 000 slip-and-fall accidents occur every year.  

“Slips and falls are one of the most common personal injury claims paid by insurance companies in winter. In January and February, the number of slip-and-fall accidents increases significantly and in some weeks the number of slips can double,” says Noori. 

Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, slips and falls are most common among people aged 20-54 (LVM 2022) – but the consequences are often much worse for older people.  
 
“Fortunately, most slip accidents are minor and do not result in anything too serious, but because of the high numbers involved, slips have a big impact,” Noori points out. 

However, according to the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the cost to society of slip-and-fall accidents is around 1.4 billion a year. This includes medical costs, rehabilitation and sick leave.

Leisure accident insurance also covers travel costs for a combined member to receive treatment

Around 4% of slips and falls result in serious injuries and around 4 600 people are admitted to hospital each year (THL 2019). Typically, this happens when the head hits a hard ground. The most common injuries are to the ankles, knees, ribs or hands.  
 
“From an insurance company’s point of view, an accident means that there is an external, sudden and unexpected cause of the injury. In the case of a slip, these usually apply quite well,” says Noori.  
 
LähiTapiola’s leisure accident insurance, which covers the costs of slipping quite well for combined members of the YTK. The insurance covers both the costs of examination and treatment of the accident and travel expenses to examinations and treatments, without deductible, up to 8 000 €. If the slip causes permanent damage, you will also be compensated.

“Sometimes an underlying injury or illness can affect eligibility for compensation, for example if recovery is significantly delayed. Compensation is based on medically proven expected recoveries,” says Noori, pointing out that the YTK Worklife membership fee (24 €/year) provides comprehensive cover against slips and falls or other accidents – in addition to all the other benefits available to combined members.  
 
“Everyone of us has probably fallen on slippery streets at least once in our lives. Most of the time we are lucky to escape with a scare, but sometimes it can get worse, so it’s good to have insurance.”

Make a claim as soon as possible after the accident

How should a combined member of the YTK then act if their feet go out from under them in winter weather? 
 
“Of course, the most important thing is to take care of your own health first and seek treatment if it gets bad,” says Noori. 
 
If the injury is less severe, you should first file a claim with LähiTapiola, which will give you a claim number and you can seek treatment on the private side with LähiTapiola’s partners.  
 
“The YTK Worklife website has very good instructions on how to do this, and of course you can also get help from our claims service,” Noori points out, adding that the insurance company often wants to know when and where the accident happened. 

 “For the insurance company, it is important to know who is responsible for preventing slipperiness in the area and whether there have been any shortcomings,” Marianne Noori explains.

The commute is the most dangerous time of the working day

One important factor affecting insurance is whether the slip occurs on the way to work or during leisure time. In the event of a slip and fall on the way to work, the first contact should be with the employer, who will report the accident to the insurance company and advise on how to proceed. 
 
“Indeed, commuting is often the most dangerous time of the working day. According to the Accident Insurance Centre, last year there were 22 600 accidents on the way to work, of which around 80% were caused by falls,” says Marianne Noori.  
 
But nowadays, many people work remotely. If you go to pick up lunch in the middle of a remote working day and have an accident on the way, your accident insurance will not cover it. 
 
“For combined members of the YTK, an accident during a lunch break on a remote working day is covered by leisure accident insurance,” says Noori.   
 
In addition to commuting, people typically slip while picking up the mail in the morning, walking the dog, taking shortcuts and other detours – and because they are scrolling through their phone while walking. 
 
“If you’re not thinking, it’s easier to get hurt when you’re walking on slippery surfaces,” Noori reminds us.