by John Gomez | Last Updated: March 8, 2017

Fall injuries are serious matters.  Many of us have been conditioned to think otherwise.  We may think of the proverbial person walking into a courtroom with a fake neck brace.  This was an effective comedy tactic.  It’s also something that people in general need to put out of their minds when they think about fall accidents.  Every San Diego slip and fall attorney who has represented clients for any period of time can remember several terrible stories of permanent injuries or even fatalities resulting from falls.  That’s why people need to know more about the seriousness of fall accidents, how often they occur, the harm they cause and other facts.  The San Diego personal injury lawyers at Gomez Trial Attorneys would like to present you with 20 important statistics regarding fall injuries.

10 Fall Accident Statistics From the CDC

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, tracks data that relates to several different ways in which people can suffer harm.  One of them involves fall accidents.  Below you’ll find 10 statistics relating to fall accidents that occur in the United States.  These statistics deal with fall accidents suffered by Americans who are 65 years old or older:

1. More than 25 percent of older Americans fall every year.
2. Fewer than half of those who suffer fall accidents tell their doctors.
3. 20 percent of fall accidents involving older Americans results in a serious injury.
4. Almost 3 million older Americans are treated in emergency rooms for fall injuries.
5. More than 800,000 people every year require hospitalization after suffering a fall injury.
6. Approximately 300,000 older Americans are hospitalized every year because of hip fractures.
7. More than 95 percent of hip fractures are caused by fall accidents.
8. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs.
9. Fall accidents account for more than $30 billion in losses every year.
10. The death rate from fall injuries for older Americans has been rising for more than a decade.

Those who would like to review the entire breakdown can find it here.  When breaking down the statistics further, the following information is revealed:

• More than 8,200 older Americans are treated for fall injuries every day.
• More than 2,100 older Americans are hospitalized because of fall injuries every day.
• Approximately 820 older Americans suffer broken hips every day.
• Fall injuries lead to economic losses of $951 per second in the United States.

These are clearly surprising statistics for many people who may assume that fall injuries are relatively rare.  As stated above, these incidents cause serious injuries and lead to a tremendous amount of economic loss.

10 Fall Accident Statistics From the NFSI

The National Floor Safety Institute, or the NFSI, also tracks data relating to fall accidents and fall injuries.  The NFSI was founded in 1997.  It is a non-profit organization.  According to its Web site, its mission is to aid in the prevention of slips, trips and falls through education, research and standards development.  Below you’ll find 10 statistics relating to fall accidents affecting people of all ages that are provided by the NFSI:

1. Slip and fall accidents account for more than 1 million emergency room visits in the United States every year.
2. Slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of lost days from work in the United States.
3. More than 20 percent of slip and fall accidents lead to at least 31 days of missed work.
4. Slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims across the country.
5. 85 percent of workers’ compensation claims due to falls are attributed to slipping on wet or slick floors.
6. Slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of occupational injury for workers who are at least 55 years old.
7. Half of all accidental deaths in the home are caused by fall accidents.
8. Fall accidents are the cause of 600 occupational fatalities every year.
9. Falls account for approximately five percent of job-related fatalities for women every year.
10. Falls account for approximately 11 percent of job-related fatalities for men every year.

Those who would like to see all of the data can find it here.  As can be seen, falls are dangerous for people of all ages.  These accidents are a constant risk in the workplace but even people’s own homes are far from safe from these terrible accidents.

How a San Diego Slip and Fall Attorney Can Help

If you or someone you love slips and falls while on someone else’s property, there are certain steps you should keep in mind:

• Notify someone responsible for the maintenance of that property that you fell and were injured.
• If it occurs in a place of business, fill out an incident report if one is available.
• Do not attempt to negotiate any type of resolution immediately after such an accident.
• Avoid signing any documentation before it’s professionally reviewed.
• Seek immediate medical attention.
• Try to write down the names of any witnesses.
• Take note of any conditions, such as liquid on the floor, that may have contributed to your fall.
• If possible, take photos of the area where you fell.

Ultimately, what you need to do is have your situation thoroughly reviewed by a San Diego slip and fall attorney.  Slip and fall accidents are complicated matters that require several different layers of analysis before a proper course of action can be defined.  In addition, an attorney can help you identify all of your losses, including those that are financial and intangible in nature, both now and in the future.  All of these losses need to be accounted for properly so that you can be made whole with a successful legal claim.

If you face this situation, seek the help of a San Diego personal injury lawyer who understands what it takes to stand up for the rights of injured clients.  Contact Gomez Trial Attorneys today for a free case evaluation.

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