Buena Park Slip & Fall Attorneys
slip and fall accidents are commonly one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities among elderly people.
A number of worker compensation and liability claims stem from slip and fall or trip and fall accidents as well. In some cases a slip and fall accident may be just that, an accident.
However, in many cases, these accidents are caused by the negligence of a property owner, a municipality or some other entity that failed to fix or repair a dangerous condition.
In such cases injured victims may be able to seek compensation for injuries, damages and losses. Our experienced Buena Park slip and fall lawyer can help injured victims better understand their legal rights and options.
Slip and Fall Statistics
The New York Times recently reported that 33 million people require medical attention every year, and that falling is the most common cause of non-fatal injuries for all age groups. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the following statistics:
- 37 percent of all injury episodes in the United States involved falling incidents.
- Falling was the most common cause of external injury among Americans.
- 27.3 percent of all injuries occurred inside the victim's home and 17 percent occurred outside the victim's home.
- Sprains and strains were the most common injuries (30.7 percent); followed by contusions or superficial injuries (22.2 percent); open wounds (17.1 percent); and fractures (14.7 percent).
- In 30.8 percent of all injury accidents, the victim suffered injuries to their lower extremities. Upper extremities were injured 29 percent of time followed by injuries to the torso or spine and injuries to the head or neck.
Falls Involving the Elderly
The elderly are particularly vulnerable to slip and fall accidents. According to statistics for adults aged 65 or older reported by the CDC:
- One out of three elderly adults is hurt in falling accidents each year, but less than half contact their healthcare provider.
- Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death and the most common cause of non-fatal injuries for the elderly.
- In the year 2007, 18,000 elderly people suffered fatal injuries in a falling accident.
- In the year 2008, 19,700 older adults were killed as a result of unintentional falling injuries.
- In the year 2009, 2.2 million non-fatal injuries required emergency room attention and over 581,000 elderly victims of fall-related injuries required hospitalization.
- Of all fatal falling deaths that occurred in the year 2007, elderly victims were involved 81 percent of the time.
- Elderly men are 46 percent more likely to suffer fatal injuries in a fall than women.
- From the statistics gathered in 2008, the rate of fall injuries for adults 85 years of age or older was almost four times higher compared to adults between the ages of 65 and 74.
Work-Related Falls
Fatal falls commonly occur at the workplace. According to The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in the year 2009, there were 4,551 work-related fatalities. Falls were responsible for 14 percent of those fatal accidents. That makes falls the fourth most common cause of fatal work injuries behind transportation incidents, assaults and contact with objects and equipment. Of the 645 fatal fall accidents suffered by workers in the year 2009:
- 20 percent involved a ladder
- 17 percent involved a fall from a roof
- 14 percent resulted from a fall on the same level
- 12 percent resulted from falls from a stationary vehicle
- 8 percent involved a fall from scaffolding or staging
Rights of slip and fall Victims
Every case is different, but slip and fall victims who have been injured by the negligence of another individual or entity have the right to pursue financial compensation for their losses. For example, injured workers can pursue compensation for their medical bills and a portion of their lost wages through workers compensation benefits. Victims of slip and fall accidents that were caused by hazardous condition on the property can file a premises liability claim against the negligent property owner. When an elderly resident in a nursing home is injured in a falling accident, the care facility can be held accountable for the incident if negligence was a contributing factor.
The skilled Buena Park slip and fall lawyers at our law firm can help injured victims determine if they have a valid claim. Injured victims can seek compensation to cover damages including but not limited to medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. Please contact us for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation. Call 949-203-3814.
