It started as a day like any other. You ran some errands and met friends for lunch. But, in an instant, your life changed. While descending the stairs at the restaurant, you tripped, rolled down the stairs, and hit your head on the concrete. Your friend called for an ambulance, which rushed you to the hospital. You now have a broken hip, a concussion, and feel chronic pain.
Unfortunately, this is not a unique event. According to the National Safety Council, falls are responsible for 33% of all preventable, non-fatal injuries and 21% of all preventable deaths . Older Americans are at an even higher risk of injury from falls; in 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 3 million emergency room visits for falls from senior citizens, at a cost of $50 billion.
What Are Some Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents?
Common causes of these injuries include:
- Debris in your path. If you are walking in a business and the floor is wet, or someone dropped something, you may not notice it and slip and fall. This is especially true for businesses near the beach that could have a fine layer or sand or salt water covering the floor and making it slick.
- Broken or uneven pavement. This often happens if there is overgrown foliage and the tree roots are uplifting the sidewalk.
- Poor lighting. At night, it can be difficult to see exactly where the stairs are, or if there is debris in your path.
- Improper use of floor cleaners. Different types of flooring need different types of cleaners. Using the wrong type of cleaner can make the floor slippery.
Common Injuries from Slip and Fall Accidents
Many individuals will walk away from a slip and fall with a bruised ego and not much else. But, others, especially senior citizens, can experience significant long-term pain and injuries, such as:
- Broken hip or other bones, causing a permanent decrease in mobility and/or flexibility.
- Spinal cord injuries, impacting a person’s ability to use their arms and legs and independently perform daily functions of living.
- Concussion or other brain injury, leading to memory loss, mental impairment, slurred speech, dizziness, depression or anxiety, chronic pain, coma, or inability to care for oneself.
- Cuts or lacerations that may require skin grafts or cause scarring.
- Soft tissue damage, causing pain when performing daily activities.
- Wrongful death.
If you or a loved one was injured by a slip and fall accident, contact Rader Law Group to learn your options for holding the negligent party responsible and receiving the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.
Rader Law Group, LLC
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References Used:
National Safety Council. Top 10 Preventable Injuries – Injury Facts (nsc.org). Accessed October 11, 2022.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Older Adult Falls | Fall Prevention | Injury Center | CDC. Accessed October 11, 2022.