Georgia Injury Law Blog
The US population is aging: between 1980 and 2022, the median age increased from 30.0 to 38.9. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, there are increasingly more seniors when compared with the general population. This increase brings with it the increased potential for fall risks in public spaces. According to the CDC, falls were the leading cause of injury death for those 65 and older, and emergency departments reported about 4.5 million visits from seniors after a fall. While often overlooked, improving protections against fall is an important step in preventing slip and fall accidents, especially in seniors for whom such injuries can be debilitating.
The National Council on Aging created a questionnaire for seniors to check their risk of potential falls. It includes some of the following questions:
- Have you fallen in the past year?
- Do you sometimes feel unsteady when walking?
- Do you have trouble stepping up onto a curb?
- Have you lost some feeling in your feet?
Seniors, their loved ones, and caregivers should consider these questions and what mobility aids or home improvements seniors may need to safely navigate their surroundings. For example, proper lighting and guardrails on stairs can help prevent falling within the home. In addition to these questions, caregivers should consider whether a senior is on medications with side effects such as dizziness or confusion, or whether they have diabetes or other conditions impacting nerve function.
However, while individuals can help reduce their risk of falls, those with businesses or public facilities should consider how their property is designed against fall risks. The National Safety Council suggests several key areas in which responsible parties should monitor fall risk:
- Physical layout: consider trip hazards, steep slopes, or unstable structures that could collapse.
- Emergency response: does your building have available first aid and trained staff who can respond appropriately in an emergency
- Maintenance: are there regular inspections and maintenance of the space to ensure safety
A slip and fall accident can be a serious occurrence for a senior citizen. Even a simple fall can result in a hip fracture which can mean the difference between an independent life, and one that is confined to a mobility device. Not only does a fall accident result in injuries that impair a person’s health and mobility, but the risk of dying significantly increases in the year after the injury. It is crucial for seniors, their caregivers, and those who manage public facilities, consider how to best prevent these injuries.
The Atlanta car accident lawyers at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers are dedicated to the representation of seniors who have suffered injuries due to slip and fall accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across the state of Georgia. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident, talk to a lawyer at our firm, and discuss your legal options for a claim for damages. You may qualify for compensation that includes medical expenses, lost income and other forms of damages. Talk to an attorney at our firm and discuss your case. Initial consultations are free.