Falls are one of the most common — and preventable — types of accidents
When you think about the most common types of accidents that cause serious injuries and death, your first thought is probably car accidents. Yet according to the National Safety Council (NSC), the number of falls has increased over the past few decades, to the point where it is now a leading cause of unintentional deaths in the United States.
One of the reasons that slip and fall accidents have increased so dramatically is because our population is aging; older Americans are more likely to fall and suffer more serious injuries. However, according to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, unintentional falls were the leading cause of nonfatal injuries in 2015 across nearly all age groups, other than the 15-24 age group. In 2015 alone, more than 9 million people were injured in unintentional falls.
So why are so many people getting hurt in slip and fall accidents? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 60% of same-level fall injuries (when a person falls on a level surface, as opposed to down a flight of stairs) involved services, wholesale, and retail industries. In other words, people are often falling in restaurants and stores — places where owners and managers may not be meeting adequate standards of safety, leaving their patrons vulnerable.
While a “slip and fall” accident sounds like it would lead to a minor injury, in reality, this type of incident could lead to very serious health issues. Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. A fall could also lead to fractures, broken bones, and even death. A skilled slip and fall lawyer can help an injured person recover the money necessary to recover the damages suffered in a slip and fall accident.
While slip and fall accidents cannot always be avoided when you are out in public in stores, restaurants, and just going about your daily life, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of a fall in your own home. You can start by making sure that you have cleared your walkways of obstructions such as loose cords and rugs. Always make sure you clean up spills and puddles, and close drawers and doors when not in use. Have grab bars installed in bathrooms if you have difficulty walking, and make sure to use non-slip mats in the bathrooms. If your carpet is loose, be sure to replace it. Outside of the home, make sure that your walkways are kept clean and well-lit year round, and that you repair loose, crumbling concrete.
If you have been hurt in a slip and fall accident, the experienced slip and fall lawyers of the Law Offices of Larry H. Parker can help. Our team of professionals has a 95% record of success, and has recovered more than $2 billion dollars on behalf of our clients. Contact us today at 800-333-0000 or info@larryhparker.com to learn how we can help you if you have been hurt in a slip and fall accident.
