Expand Your Knowledge About The Common Slip And Fall Accident
February 24, 2017
If you are like most Pittsburgh residents, you probably feel confident in your ability to avoid slip-and-fall accidents. Unfortunately, overconfidence and complacency may work to increase your odds of suffering a fall. After all, most of these accidents strike out of nowhere when the victim is feeling relatively safe.
You probably already know that many slip-and-fall accidents occur outside in inclement weather. However, indoor slip-and-fall accidents are also a risk. Often, all a fall victim suffers from is embarrassment, but sometimes a serious injury may result from even a seemingly minor fall. Here are some important facts you should know about slips and falls.
— For people 85 years or older, falls are the number one cause of death due to injury.
— Over 20 percent of slip and fall accidents result in more than a month of missed work.
— In 5 percent of all people who fall, bone fractures will occur.
— It has been shown that flooring materials are a direct factor in over 2 million fall injuries each year.
— 60 percent of compensable injury incidents occur from falls “at level” which means the victim did not fall from a high elevation.
— Slip-and-fall accidents account for over 1 million emergency room visits each year.
— Of all fall-related injuries, hip fractures are typically the most serious, often leading to health problems or death, especially in the elderly.
People can suffer from slip-and-fall injuries anywhere and often it is merely an accident. However, when a property owner’s negligence has contributed to the injury, it is possible to acquire compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other expenses. It is a good idea for victims of slip-and-fall accidents to seek legal advice from an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer.