Slip and Falls: Avoidable Tragedies

Slip and fall accidents are a pervasive issue in workplaces and among the elderly population, often leading to significant injuries and financial burdens. These seemingly minor incidents can have devastating consequences, causing fractures, head injuries, and even death.

In the workplace, slip and fall accidents are one of the most common causes of injuries according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In 2022, slips, trips, and falls led to 450,540 work injuries and 865 work-related deaths, and accounted for 15% of workers’ compensation claims. These incidents can occur in any setting, from construction sites and factories to retails stores and offices.

For the elderly, the risk of slip and fall injuries is particularly high due to factors such as decreased balance, reduced muscle strength, and vision problems. According to the National Safety Council, slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries among adults aged 65 and over. These incidents can result in significant medical expenses, lost wages, and a decline in quality of life.

Slip and Falls: The Facts and Figures

As you read the following, consider the data and information provided. Understanding the common causes, prevention strategies, and legal implications of slip and fall accidents can help individuals and organizations take steps to reduce the risk of these incidents and mitigate their consequences.

Slip and Falls: In General

• Falls account for over 8 million hospital emergency room visits, representing the leading cause of visits (21.3%).

• Slip and falls account for over 1 million ER visits, or 12% of total falls.

• Fall fatalities are divided equally between men and women.

  • However, more women will experience a slip-and-fall accident.

  • Falls accounted for 5% of job-related fatalities for women compared to 11% for men.

• Fractures are the most serious consequences of falls, occurring in 55 of all people who fall.

  • Of all fractures, hip fractures are the most serious, and lead to the greatest health problems and number of deaths.

• Half of all accidental deaths in the home are caused by a fall.

  • Most fall injuries in the home happen at ground level, not from elevation.

• According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), floors and flooring materials contribute directly to more than 2 million fall injuries each year.

Slip and Falls at the Workplace

• 85% of worker’s compensation claims are attributed to employees slipping on slick floors.

• 22% of slip/fall incidents resulted in more than 31 days away from work.

• Compensation and medical costs associated with employee slip/fall accidents is approximately $90 billion annually.

• Occupational fatalities due to falls are approximately 600/year, down from 1200 during the 1970’s.

• Falls occur in virtually ALL manufacturing and service sectors.

  • Fatal falls, however, are more common in construction, mining, and maintenance activities.

• According to Worker’s Compensation statistics, falls account for 16% f all claims and 26% of all costs

• According to the American Trucking Associations, slips and falls are the leading cause of compensable injury in the trucking industry.

Slip and Falls Among the Elderly

• Each year in the U.S., one of every three persons over the age of 65 will experience a fall. Half of which are “repeat fallers.”

• According to the CDC:

  • 15,000+ people over the age of 65 die annually as a result of a fall.

  • 8 million people over the age of 65 were treated in an ER as a result of a fall.

• For people 65-84, falls are the 2^nd leading cause of injury-related death.

  • For those over 85, falls are THE leading cause of injury-related death.

• Incidence of falls goes up with each decade of life.

• Of all deaths associated with falls, 60% involve people aged 75 years or older.

• Falls account for 87% of all fractures among people over the age of 65, and are the 2^nd leading cause of spinal cord injuries and brain injury symptoms.

• Half of all over the age of 65 hospitalized for hip fractures cannot return home or live independently after the fracture.

• Falls represent 40% of all nursing home admissions and are the 6^th leading cause of death among people aged 70+.

• Over 60% of nursing home residents fall each year.

• People over the age of 85 are 10-15 times more likely to experience a hip fracture than are people aged 60-65.

Sources for these stats include:

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

• National Safety Council (NSC)

• Bureau of Labor Statistics

• Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

• American Trucking Associations (ATA)

• National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI)

Injured in a Slip and Fall? Consult the Expert Slip and Fall Lawyers at GOLDLAW

The experts at GOLDLAW are true legal superheroes! They come armed with the knowledge and experience to help you navigate the claims process. Don’t go it alone…it’s too complicated. The GOLDLAW legal team are Palm Beach County’s slip-and-fall experts. They will handle your claim and the insurance companies while you focus on what’s really important: getting better, and getting back to life with your family.

So, there you have it. By gathering evidence, you’re not just picking up the pieces after a fall – you’re building a case that can help you get the compensation you rightly deserve. Remember; knowledge is power, and with these tips, you’ll be ready to face any legal obstacle! Stay safe out there, and remember: gravity may have won the first round, but you and your GOLDLAW slip-and-fall lawyer can win the case!

If you or someone you love has been injured in a slip-and-fall incident caused by the negligence of a property owner in the West Palm Beach area, the GOLDLAW team is ready to step in and help! Our firm has the resources and experience necessary to handle all aspects of your claim, and we want to get to work helping you today. When you need a West Palm Beach Slip-and-fall lawyer, “Choose the 2’s,” and call GOLDLAW at (561-222-2222) for a FREE consultation today.