It’s important to stay active as you age. Getting in some gentle physical activity every day can reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain kinds of cancer. It can also reduce the risk of falling.
Without regular exercise, muscles and joints weaken over time. This in turn can lead to poor coordination and balance, thereby limiting mobility. Eventually, even simple activities like walking will pose the risk of serious injury because a minor slip and fall could cause major damage.
Of course, seniors aren’t the only ones who can get seriously hurt in a fall. Did you know that 1 in 5 falls causes brain damage, a broken bone, or another serious injury? Or that falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury in the United States?
Here are a few more alarming statistics about slip, trip, and fall accidents:
- Falls Are Responsible for Nearly All Hip Fractures
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, slip, trip, and fall accidents cause more than 95 percent of all hip fractures. And for those who are over 60, the one-year mortality rate following such an injury can be as high as 58 percent.
- Fall Injuries Cost Billions of Dollars Annually
In 2015, falls accounted for more than $50 billion in medical costs alone. Medicaid and Medicare covered approximately 75 percent of these expenses.
- Fear of Falling Can Make Falls More Likely
According to The Washington Post, fear of falling (FOF) is a fairly common affliction. Many seniors grapple with FOF, regardless of whether they have experienced a bad fall.
Unfortunately, FOF can cause so much anxiety that it affects quality of life. For example, people with FOF are likely to suffer from depression and social isolation. And since they’re afraid of participating in virtually all kinds of exercise, their physical health tends to decline. As a result, their mobility decreases, and they actually become more vulnerable to slip and fall accidents.
What Should I Do Following a Slip and Fall Accident?
After a serious fall, your first priority should be your health. Visit your primary care physician right away for a thorough exam.
Once your condition stabilizes, it’s important to take steps to protect your legal rights and financial future. Call a slip and fall lawyer to discuss your options for pursuing compensation.
A seasoned attorney can evaluate the facts of your case and help you determine the most strategic way to proceed. Depending on the circumstances, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, home care, domestic help, pain and suffering, physical impairment, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment in life.
Call 212-421-0300 to Discuss Your Case with a New York City Slip and Fall Attorney
If you sustained serious injuries in a slip and fall on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation for all resulting damages. To determine if you have grounds for a personal injury claim, contact The Law Office of Richard M. Kenny.
Our attorneys have more than 100 years of combined experience in the legal field—and more than 100 5-star reviews on Google. Call 212-421-0300 or fill out our Contact Form to schedule a free case evaluation with a slip and fall lawyer in New York City.
