Whether you are an older adult or you have an older family member, you need to keep an eye out for the risk of falling down. Every year, people of all ages sustain serious injuries when they fall down, but elderly victims are especially likely to sustain serious injuries in these accidents.
Sometimes, people fall down as a result of the negligence of others. For example, some victims slip due to a leak left unaddressed or an icy sidewalk that a business owner failed to attend to.
How many older adults sustain injuries due to falls?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 95% of hip fractures are due to falling down and more than 300,000 older adults sustain hip fractures each year. On an annual basis, more than 3 million older adults seek emergency treatment due to falls. The CDC also reports that 20% of falls result in serious injuries and people suffer more traumatic brain injuries due to falling down than any other type of accident.
What are risk factors that result in fall injuries?
There are many hazards you need to watch out for when it comes to falling. The CDC draws attention to common risk factors associated with falls, such as clutter on the floor, broken steps and uneven ground. Some people, such as those who struggle with balance, are especially likely to fall down.
If you suffered an injury due to a property owner’s carelessness, make sure you evaluate all of your options with respect to moving forward and look into the possibility of pursuing compensation.
