April 28, 2020
A slip and fall accident can happen anywhere. It could be in your house, at the supermarket, at work or simply walking down the sidewalk. No matter where it happens, the effects of an accident can last for weeks or even years in your life.
The National Floor Safety Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have complied a series of statistics that show us the aftermath of a slip and fall, including some of the most common injuries.
Fractures and breaks
One of the most common injuries that occur from a slip and fall are fractures and breaks to the bone. They most often occur in the older generations. 87% of all fractures for people over the age of 65 are the result of a fall.
Hip fractures are some of the most serious injuries that typically result from a slip and fall. They often end in hospitalization, increased health issues and even death. Over the age of 65, half of all adults are hospitalized for hip fractures and are unable to live independently afterwards.
Spinal cord and brain injuries
The second most common injury is to the spinal cord and brain. Falling and hitting the head, neck or back can lead to these types of injuries, which can be life changing. Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries.
Death
In the home, half of all accidental deaths are the result of a fall. The elderly are especially at risk, with falls being the sixth leading cause of death for people over the age of 70. 60% of deaths because of a fall occur among individuals over the age of 75.
Falls at work can also be fatal. Deaths occurring from a fall on the job most commonly occur in the construction, mining and maintenance industries.
Lost time at work
Injuries that happen at work ca have a huge impact on an employee’s ability to continue performing their duties. Slip and falls are a huge factor in worker injuries. When looking at worker’s compensation claims, 85% concern employees falling on wet or slippery floors. 22% of these incidents require employees to lose 31 days of work.
While slip and fall injuries can be life-changing, there are ways to offset the impact of an injury. Personal injury, premises liability and worker’s compensation claims are some of the top ways to get payment for injuries, bills and time lost from work.