NSC Aims to Reduce Risks or Fall Accidents in Alabama and Elsewhere

Jun 24, 2011 - Personal Injury by Cross & Smith

The National Safety Council is using the entire month of June to raise awareness of preventable injuries. They will be using June 19th through the 25th to raise awareness about the danger and the common occurrence of slips, trips and falls.

These accidents are among some of the top causes of unintentional personal injuries in Alabama and elsewhere. It has been reported that nearly 9 million people visit an emergency department each year because of these accidents.

Our Tuscaloosa personal injury lawyers would like to speak directly to those that are 55 and older as this is the age group that is most likely to be the victim of one of these falls. When a resident of this age experiences a fall, they are likely to suffer from a number of injuries that can hinder their ability to lead an independent and active life. Many times it is the fault of property owners for not properly caring for their facilities. These owners can be held responsible for damages in these instances. It is important to contact an attorney immediately if you experience a fall in a public area.

These falls, more specifically, affect those that are over the age of 64. This age group is the most likely to fall. They are 4 times more likely to die from a fall than any other age group.

The National Safety Council reports that roughly 25,000 people find themselves to be a victim of a slip and fall each day. These falls cost nearly $30 billion each year. More than half of lost workdays are caused from these types of accidents. The country witnesses nearly 100 million lost work days a year because of falls, according to Liberty Mutual. Nearly a quarter of all serious, injury-causing falls result in at least a month away from work. Restaurants are the most common place to experience an on-the-job slip or fall.

Our baby boomers continue to age. More than 6,000 adults turn 65 every day, putting more and more residents in that dangerous age range for slips and falls. By 2030, the total number of people over the age of 65 is expected to double.

It is important to remember that a lot of the slip and fall cases are the fault of property owners. Owners of businesses, hotels, malls, grocery stores and all other public facilities are required to keep their grounds free of potential dangers and hazards. In many cases, the owner or manager can be held responsible for not keeping their grounds up to par and for contributing to an individual’s injury.

The Mayo Clinic offers these safety tips to all residents to help them prevent one of these serious, life-changing accidents:

-Keep up on your physical activity. Keep moving to help yourself increase strength, coordination, and flexibility.

-Wear proper shoes. Have your feet measured each time you purchase shoes. Try out some nonskid shoes. Avoid extra-thick soles.

-Speak with your doctor. Make sure your medications aren’t affecting your balance, etc. Could your health conditions contribute to a fall?

-Remove hazards from your house. Move boxes, magazine racks and electrical cords. Secure all of your lose rugs or wooden floorboards. Clean spilled liquids immediately.

-Enhance the lighting in all rooms throughout your house.

-Try assistive devices, including handrails, grab bars for the tub or shower, nonslip treats for wood steps, a raised toilet seat and a hand held shower nozzle.