Recent Reports Indicate that Falls are the Leading Factor in Causing Injury or Death to Older Americans
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, across the country and at a rate of nearly every second, an older adult suffers a fall. This extremely high rate contributes in making falls the primary cause of injury or death from injury among seniors in America. A recent report published in the Morbidity and Mortality Report stated that approximately 29 million older Americans experienced a fall, which caused about 31 billion dollars in annual medical care costs. Falls among older Americans is common and regrettably, the resulting injuries lead to the end of their independence.
Causes of Falls and the Risk Factors Associated With Them
There are countless reasons why an older person could suffer a fall. For one, health factors such as poor eyesight and poor reflexes can greatly contribute to an accident. Additionally, many medicines can also have side effects that can lead to a fall, such as dizziness or sleepiness.
There are also a multitude of environmental factors that can cause an older person to fall. This may include the following hazards:
- Wet floors,
- Raised flooring,
- Insufficient lighting in stairwells,
- Uneven pavement, and
- Recently waxed floors
While a majority of people will suffer a slip and fall at some point of their life, for older individuals, a fall can be the start of many forthcoming health problems.
The Importance of a Premises Liability Claim Following a Fall
As previously mentioned, a fall can happen through many different reasons; however, when a fall happens as a result of another’s negligence, the victim has a right to pursue legal action against the negligent party. Depending on the specific case, a victim may be able to seek monetary compensation for the following:
- Hospital bills and other medical costs;
- A loss of wages or other income;
- Loss of earning capacity, if unable to return to work;
- Emotional distress that results from the fall;
- Psychological damages;
- Pain and suffering; and/or
- Punitive damages
When an elderly person succumbs to the injuries associated with a fall, the victim’s family may be able to seek damages through a wrongful death claim. Depending on the specific case, however, the victim’s family may be able to recover economic damages for the victim’s funeral expenses, burial costs, and more.
Speak to a Knowledgeable Law Firm Today
In the State of California, property owners have a duty to reasonably ensure that their property is safe. Breaching this duty of care can result in negligence. Ultimately, this means that property owners can be held accountable for when an elderly person sustains an injury over a preventable fall. If you or someone you love has sustained injuries after a fall because of another’s negligence, speak to a qualified attorney for information about how to obtain monetary damages.
The personal injury attorneys at Milligan Beswick Levine & Knox, LLP have helped many fall victims recover the restitution they deserve following a fall that occurred because of another’s negligence. The firm understands that victim’s will often endure financial stress following an accident of that caliber and will vigorously defend the rights and interests of their clients. Contact the law firm today for a free case evaluation.
Stephen Levine, is a Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Defense — an honor achieved by only the top criminal law attorneys in California. Mr. Levine has over 40 years of experience in criminal defense and family law serving Southern California, and is a highly regarded Super Lawyer as well as AV Rated attorney.