Slip and Fall Accident Statistics
Throughout the U.S., according to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), falls account for over eight million hospital emergency room visits, representing the leading cause of visits. More specifically, slip and fall accidents account for over 1 million visits, or 12% of total falls.
In Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health, falls are the leading cause of injury death among Florida residents ages 65 years and older and the fourth leading cause of injury death overall. Further, falls are the leading cause of non-fatal, injury-related hospital admissions in Florida.
COMMON CAUSES
Although a large percentage of falls, particularly with elderly individuals, occur in one’s home, there are a variety of other factors that come into play when a person finds herself face-to-face with the ground.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, floors and flooring materials contribute directly to more than two million fall injuries annually. For example, wet, slippery floors cause a large portion of slip and fall accidents each year, especially in the State of Florida. Poor weather, such as heavy rainfall for instance, can be a contributing factor when water is tracked into the entrance of a grocery store or restaurant, leaving puddles in the path of subsequent customers. Other contributing factors include uneven surfaces, such as sidewalks that are in need of repair or steps that are improperly marked.
COMMON PLACES OF OCCURRENCE
• Home. As previously mentioned, a large portion of slip and fall accidents happen at home. About 50% of all accidental deaths are a result of falls. Surprisingly, however, those incidents are not due to falling off elevated surfaces, such as a ladder or roof, but rather due to falls at ground level.
• Workplace. Slip and falls are a leading cause of on-the-job injuries. According to Industrial Safety & Occupational Health Markets, 85% of worker’s compensation claims are due to employees slipping on slick floors. Further reported by the NFSI, 11% of job-related male deaths are attributed to falls, and 5% to females.
• Public places. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 50,000 injuries were reported to have occurred in the restaurant industry in 2016. One insurance company provided that 55% of those restaurant liability claims were due to customer falls resulting from factors such as spills on walking surfaces, loose mats or rugs, or freshly mopped floors not accompanied by wet-floor signs. Similarly, these same conditions occur in grocery stores.
COMMON INJURIES
• Fractures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) reported that more than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling. According to the NFSI, of all fractures from falls, hip fractures are the most serious and lead to the most severe health issues, including death. In 2012, 25% of fall-related deaths were in some way related to hip fractures.
• Traumatic brain injuries. According to the CDCP, falls are also one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries, which can range from just minor concussions to an emergency room visit or, in the worst case, death. In 2012,traumatic brain injuries were related to 61% of fall-related deaths and 13% of fall-related injury hospitalizations.
• Spinal cord injuries. A fall may cause a person to suffer injuries to his spinal cord, resulting in bulging or herniated discs. In severe cases, spinal cord injuries can also lead to permanent paralysis and other neurological conditions and sensory impairments, especially if left untreated.
Unfortunately, a slip and fall can occur at any time. If your injuries were a result of someone else’s negligence, you may have the opportunity to receive compensation for those injuries.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a slip and fall, call Personal Injury Attorney Chelsie M. Lamie at 727-501-3464 for a free consultation. You can also learn more about Attorney Lamie by visiting www.chelsielamie.com.