Personal Injury Lawyers Are Seeing An Increase In Slip and Fall Cases With Seniors
Personal Injury Lawyers Are Seeing An Increase In Slip and Fall Cases With Seniors
The personal injury lawyers at The Clekis Law Firm are familiar with slip and fall cases. These type of accidents are dangerous at any age. However, a recent study shows spinal cord injury is particularly dangerous for older Americans.
Slip and Fall Accidents
In a study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma, researchers from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine made startling findings about spinal cord injury (SCI) in the United States. The research looked at emergency room data for the years 2007 through 2009. Following an earlier study that reviewed SCI data from 2000 to 2005, the key points of this study include the following:
- Falls have replaced vehicle accidents as the leading cause of spinal cord injury in the United States.
- The incidence of SCI among adults age 18 to 64 declined during the course of the study.
- The incidence of SCI among adults age 64 and older increased.
- Young adults are four times less likely to die from SCI during emergency room treatment than seniors.
- Seniors are six times more likely to die after admission for hospital treatment for SCI than younger adults.
- Falls happen in the home and outside. When falls occur on the premises of others, the owner or operator of the property may be liable for damages if negligence is proven.
- Falls cause not only spinal cord, but traumatic brain injury (TBI). Broken bones and sprains are also common fall injuries.
Given the research results, one study author noted falls by seniors is “…an area that is ripe for prevention.”
Preventing a fall is easier than treating the injury that could follow. Watch your step. If you are injured on the premises of others in South Carolina, it is important to speak with experienced personal injury lawyer in Charleston.