One of the leading causes of unintentional injury in the U.S. is slip and fall accidents. In this post, we’ll talk about the number of falls that occur, common causes, and potential claims for damages after a fall.
Slip and Fall Statistics
It is estimated that around 8.9 million emergency room visits are due to this type of injury. Falls are also a leading cause of injury among adults who are 65 and older. One third of older Americans fall every year. An older adult receives emergency room treatment for a fall every 11 seconds. One out of five slip and fall accidents results in serious injury such as head trauma or broken bones. Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury.
Common causes of slip & fall accidents
There are many places where people can fall: at home, at work, at a store, at school, basically anywhere you go. The Consumer Product Safety Commission cites floors and flooring materials as the primary contributor to more than 2 million slip and fall accidents annually. At home, most falls es do not happen from an elevation. Instead, most falls at home occur at ground level. Of all accidental deaths that occur in the home, half are caused by slip and falls.
Age is another contributing factor to falls. The incidence of falls increases with each decade of life. Older people are most prone to fall. The results of a fall can be devastating. Falls are the second leading cause of brain and spinal cord injury. They also account for 87 percent of all fractures in the elderly. For elderly victims, these injuries can be serious. Half who are hospitalized for a hip fracture will not be able to live independently or return home afterwards. Injuries from falls account for 40 percent of all admissions to nursing homes.
Are Damages recoverable from a slip and fall accident?
Each case has unique facts. There is no magic formula for measuring what damages may be recovered after a slip and fall. Factors that go into determining the value of a claim include:
- Medical expenses
- Degree of any long term or permanent disability
- Time lost from work
- Impact on quality of life
- Admission to a nursing home or long term rehabilitation center
- Whether the fall was caused by another party’s negligence
- Whether the injured party was partly negligent
Past Slip and Fall Settlements
Slip and fall settlements and verdicts vary dramatically depending on the facts of the situation. One of our clients slipped and fell at his apartment complex when the parking lot iced over. He sustained injuries to his back that required surgery. His case settled for $236,000. Another client slipped and fell on icy stairs at a ski resort in Maine. The victim suffered a neck injury and mild traumatic brain injury. He had surgery on his neck. He was awarded $3.61 million for his injuries and his wife was awarded $750,000 for loss of consortium (loss of the companionship, society, and comfort of her husband).
Every case is different, and not every slip and fall is caused by another party’s negligence. This post is not intended to be legal advice. If you believe your slip and fall was caused by another party’s negligence, consider getting legal advice. Call Fales & Fales, P.A. to speak to one of our attorneys regarding your accident. We will help you navigate the legal system and seek compensation from the responsible party.
