According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), slip and fall incidents result in over a million visits to the emergency room each year, while falls in general generate over eight million trips to the ER annually.The CDC reports that around 800,000 people end up being hospitalized, often due to serious injury to the hip or head.You might not know, but falls are actually the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries.
Unfortunately, falls are also one of the most common causes of preventable death.The National Safety Council (NSC) reported over 34,000 deaths due to falls in 2016, and as of 2018, falls were the third most common cause of preventable death (after poisoning and motor vehicle), accounting for 22% of total deaths, while such incidents topped the list of nonfatal injuries in the U.S. at 32%.
In addition, slip and fall incidents are the leading cause of occupational injury for workers age 55 and over, and incredibly, they are the primary cause for lost workdays overall.In truth, the elderly are much more likely to suffer from falls, with 1 in 3 over the age of 65 experiencing a fall, and half of those suffering repeat falls.Each decade of life, the chance of falls goes up, and people age 75 and over account for roughly 60% of deaths related to falls.
That said, many slip and fall accidents are not the fault of the injured party.Suppose you slip on wet floor that has no warning sign, or you trip on an uneven or broken sidewalk.You might be doing your job and suffer a spill due to unsafe working conditions.In such cases, a qualified slip and fall lawyer from Shaevitz & Shaevitz can help you to determine if you have a case and seek compensation for injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.