One of the most common – and dangerous – type of accident that happens to older people are slip and fall injuries. This is often due to the fact that as we age, we are less able to navigate around out-of-place or sudden objects like we could when we were younger. Our reflexes slow down, making it harder to maneuver.
According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every 20 minutes a person dies from fall injuries, and thousands more are injured. More than three million older adults end up in hospital emergency rooms each year because of injuries sustained in falls, with 800,000 of those victims end up being admitted with serious head, hip, and other injuries. Even more alarming, it is estimated that more than one in four seniors fall each year, but less than half of those victims tell their doctors. This means that many of these victims could be suffering from serious injuries and not receiving treatment.
The following tips can help decrease the risk of slip and fall injuries.
Talk with Your Physician
It is a good idea to have a discussion with your doctor about the different ways to reduce your risk of falling, especially if you are on any medications that may affect your balance at all. There are many medications that have side effects that can cause people to become light-headed, dizzy, or drowsy. You also want to make sure that none of the medications you take could interact with each other, producing a risk of falling. You may also have a medical condition which could interfere with walking or balance. In some cases, your doctor may recommend using a walking aid to help decrease your fall risk.
RELATED CONTENT
- A Major Cause of Virginia Head Injuries: Slip and Fall Accidents
- Falling Down and Getting Hurt-What to Do in a Slip and Fall Injury
- Serious Slip and Fall Injuries Can Happen Anywhere to Anyone
Your Living Space
Look around your home to see if you have any areas that could pose potential fall hazards If you have furniture that is oddly placed or clutter on the floor, eliminate the fall dangers by clearing these areas. You also want to make sure you have railings on all staircases and that there are no loose stairs or stair pads. Also make sure that all areas of your home are safely lit, especially at night. Many people use solar nightlights throughout the home, especially in the bathroom, in case they need to get up at night. And speaking of the bathroom, having grab bars in the tub, shower, and toilet can help keep you safe from falling.
Contact a Virginia Slip and Fall Accident Attorney
Despite how many safety tips a person follows, there are many slip and fall accidents which are caused by the negligence of another party. For example, if a property owner fails to address a safety hazard, this can result in a visitor to the property falling and suffering a serious injury. When this happens, the victim can pursue damages for financial compensation for the losses their injury caused them.
Call a Virginia personal injury attorney from Shapiro & Appleton to find out how we can help you get the compensation you are entitled to for your injuries.