January 19, 2019 | Blog,Slip and Fall Accidents
Especially with the recent ice and snow in the Indianapolis area, people are often worried about slipping and falling down. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that an estimated 8.9 million Americans visit emergency rooms each year due to injuries suffered in slip and fall accidents. Common slip and fall injuries include brain injuries, broken bones, spinal injuries, deep bruising, and more. Such injuries may require extensive medical treatment and weeks of recovery. If a slip and fall accident occurs because a property owner was negligent in the upkeep of the premises, that owner should be held liable for any resulting injuries.
Elderly Americans who slip and fall commonly suffer fractured hips. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 258,000 adults over the age of 65 are admitted to the hospital every year for fractured hips. The CDC reports that falling accidents are the number one cause of fractured hips among this population. The risk of suffering a fractured hip in a fall increases exponentially if the fall victim is over the age of 85 or if the victim suffers from osteoporosis.
Hip fractures can have serious consequences for elderly adults. Most hip fracture patients require surgery and extended hospital stays, followed by additional stays in rehabilitation facilities or nursing homes before they may return home. Furthermore, one-third of hip fractures sufferers who lived on their own prior to their injury are never able to return home and instead remain in assisted living facilities.
While most elderly hip fracture victims go through difficult recovery, some do not survive the injury. Hip fractures may have many surprising complications, such as difficulties during surgery, infection, lowered immune systems, and more. Nearly 20% of hip fracture patients over the age of 65 pass away within a year of their injury.
As you can see, the consequences for elderly adults who slip and fall can be severe. If you have been in a slip and fall accident that was someone else’s fault, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries and losses. Indianapolis Slip and fall accident attorney Merry Fountain can help you get the settlement you deserve. Do not hesitate to call today (317) 917-7873. If you would prefer to reach us via email, please complete the contact form available on the right side of this page.