In a recent post, we shared news of a 47-year-old woman awarded of nearly $2 million for falling in a convenience store. Such accidents happen often, and can be especially dangerous for members of the elderly population.
In this issue, the Alaska personal injury lawyers with Barber & Associates will talk more about the potentially devastating effects of falls – even for short ones – for older folks.
Why Falls Are Particularly Dangerous for Older Adults
While maturing is a wonderful stage of life for many, there’s no getting around the fact that our bodies become a bit weakened as the years go by. Our bones become more vulnerable, and our reflexes slow down.
Then, when you factor in pre-existing medical conditions that have taken their toll, it’s clear to see why older folks tend to experience much more significant injuries from a fall.
Other issues that could lead to our bodies being more vulnerable as we age include:
- Medications that can lead to dizziness and drowsiness
- Procedures such as surgery that have weakened the body
- Other conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, etc.
Even Ground-Level Falls Are Incredibly Dangerous.
A study from the University of Rochester Medical Center confirmed that adults 70 and older are three times more likely to die from a ground-level fall than their younger-than-70 counterparts.
For their study, researchers relied upon demographic data from ground-level falls between the years 2001-2005.
Because they’re often unable to recover as quickly, older adults are more likely to remain in the hospital for longer stretches of time.
Of those patients studied in the report, 22% of the elderly patients were able to take care of themselves after leaving the hospital. That’s contrasted with the 41% non-elderly patients who were able to live unattended.
If You Know An Elderly Person Who Was Injured in a Fall, Call the Alaska Personal Injury Lawyers With Barber & Associates.
Injuries from slip and fall accidents can be devastating, particularly for an older person. If you’ve been injured or know someone who has, it’s vital that you contact a personal injury lawyer to make sure you’re protected financially.
For a free consultation to discuss your case, call us at 800-478-5858. You can also get in touch through email or by completing our online form.