Whether you lose your balance due to an icy surface, you fall down due to liquid spilled on the floor or you trip on an exposed nail, there are many hazards to look out for and fall-related accidents occur for a host of reasons. If you are an older adult, the consequences of falling down are likely especially concerning.
Sadly, many older adults fall down as a result of negligent property owners and businesses, and these victims deserve justice.
Statistics on older adults and fall injuries
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that millions of people over 65 in the U.S. fall down every year. Moreover, most of these people fail to tell their doctor. Roughly 20% of falls result in head injuries or broken bones and over 95% of hip fractures occur as a result of falls. On an annual basis, over 300,000 older adults require hospitalization due to hip fractures and more than 800,000 people need hospitalization after falling down.
Recovering from a fall injury
If you are an older adult who recently fell down, or you have concerns about an older family member’s well-being following a recent fall, it is important to focus on the recovery process. Sometimes, people in this position have legal options available to help them move forward. For example, if the fall occurred due to another person’s negligence, they could secure the compensation they need to cover medical costs and other expenses if they decide to take their case to court.
Falls are often very painful and can create many hardships in daily life. Try to stay positive and thoroughly evaluate all of your options.
