A slip-and-fall accident in Georgia can lead to serious injury and even death. Although both men and women experience this type of accident, it is more common for men to die from such accidents at work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that falls are responsible for 11 percent of male work-related fatalities and 5 percent of female work-related fatalities. However, the most common injury suffered in a fall is a fracture, which are suffered by 5 percent of all fall victims.
While falls are not the most common reason for workplace fatalities, they are the biggest reason why employees may miss time at work. For workers over the age of 55, falls are the primary cause of occupational injury and lead to the largest number of workers’ compensation claims that are submitted. Approximately 33 percent of those over the age of 65 will experience a fall either at home or at work, and many will experience more than one fall as they age.
Research indicates that 40 percent of nursing home admissions are related to falls with 60 percent of nursing home residents falling each year. Overall, accidents involving falls are the leading cause of hospital visits with over eight million each year. This represents 21.3 percent of all hospital visits per year. It is estimated that floors and flooring materials contribute directly to two million fall injuries each year.
Regardless of the victim’s age, it may be possible to take legal action against a property owner after a slip-and-fall accident. An attorney may be able to determine if there were dangerous conditions present that should have been rectified. If these or similar issues were not taken care of, the owner may be liable for any medical bills and other expenses the victim incurred as a result of the accident.