Slip and fall accidents are a leading cause of emergency department visits in the United States. According to the National Floor and Safety Institute, falls account for over eight million emergency department visits annually, affecting both men and women, (nfsi.org). If an injury occurs while at work or in a public place, the employer or business may be liable. The following are slip and fall accident statistics as reported by the CDC, Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Safety Council, (NSC).
Slip and Fall Accident Statistics:
- One in four older adults aged 65 and older will fall. This represents 29 million falls, 3 millions of emergency room visits, 28,000 deaths and $31 billion in annual Medicare costs, (cdc.org).
- According to the NSC, construction workers are most at risk for slips and falls, but noted that falls can happen anywhere, “even at a desk job,” (nsc.org). The NSC reported an estimated $70 billion are spent annually on workers’ compensation, lost wages, missed days of work and other medical related costs as a result of a fall occurring at work. The following are slip and fall accident statistics per job category reported by the NSC:
- Construction: 21,890 injuries, 302 deaths
- Manufacturing: 21,430 injuries, 42 deaths
- Wholesale trade: 12,640 injuries, 25 deaths
- Retail trade: 29,690 injuries, 32 deaths
- Transportation and Warehousing: 21,970 injuries, 35 deaths
- Professional and business services: 19,300 injuries, 91 deaths
- Education and health services: 47, 740 injuries, 13 deaths
- Government: 66,940 injuries, 54 deaths
- Fractures are the most common medical consequence and occur in 5% of all people who fall; hip fractures are the most serious and lead to the greatest health problems and a number of deaths, (nfsi.org). The CDC reported that the average medical cost to insurance companies and families is $40,000 following a slip and fall accident. While the majority of falls that occur at home are an accident, they are often preventable. Removing floor rugs, tightening stair handrails, or installing grab bars in the bathroom all decrease the risk of accidental slips and falls.
- Slips and falls are a leading cause of injury for all age groups. When falls occur on public property that results in a personal injury, you may have the right to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and both physical and emotional pain. There are several elements when determining liability or negligence of the property owner following a slip and fall resulting in injury. Some examples of how slip and falls can occur are uneven surfaces, wet surfaces without warning or slipping and falling in a poorly maintained or poorly lit parking lot.
Slip and fall accidents can occur when you least expect them and are the number one cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among adults, (cdc.org). If you or a loved one have been injured in a slip and fall accident, let the Law Offices of Reginald Keith Davis help get you the compensation you deserve. Here you will receive skilled, experienced, legal representation you can trust and rely on.