Slip and falls can cause serious injuries and sometimes even accidental death. In addition to physical pain and injuries sustained, many victims of slip and fall accidents also suffer financial consequences.
In terms of the workplace, slip and falls are the number one cause of worker’s compensation claims, and are also the top cause of occupational injury for those who are 55 years and older.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), slip and falls account for 15% of all accidental fatalities. This puts slip and falls as the second leading cause of death, behind car accidents.
Furthermore, according to a 2013 National Safety Council report, “falls from the same level” and “falls to a lower level” were the second and third highest incidents of disabling workplace injuries.
Unfortunately, slip and falls are not just a danger in workplace settings. In fact, falls are the leading cause of all emergency room visits (21.3%). With over 8 million visits, over 1 million of those visits are specifically are from slip and falls.
These accidents become especially dangerous the older we get. Each year, one out of every three people in the United States over the age of 65 will experience a fall. In 2015 alone, over 15,000 people in this age group died as a result of a fall.
Half of all adults over the age of 65 who suffer hip fractures as a result of a fall are unable to return home or live independently afterwards. In fact, 40% of all admissions to nursing home facilities are due to falls.
Unfortunately, this does not guarantee falls will not happen again. As we’ve discussed in other blog posts, many nursing homes are understaffed, which can lead to cases of nursing home neglect. Considering that over 60% of nursing home residents will fall each year, this is a serious issue that not enough people are aware of.
If you or a loved one has suffered injury from any type of slip and fall, including one while in a nursing home, you may have a personal injury claim. To learn more about the dangers of slip and falls or to schedule a free consultation with our experienced attorneys, please contact us today.