Falls represent one of the most common reasons why a person would visit an emergency room in Georgia. Nationally, falls accounted for more than eight million visits to an emergency room while slip and fall accidents accounted for more than a million. Inadequate floors or flooring material causes up to two million injuries from falls per year. Those who fall can experience serious injuries, and 5 percent of people who fall experience a fracture of some sort.
Hip fractures can be among the most serious as they may result in many long-term complications. While falls can happen to anyone, they tend to be more dangerous for elderly individuals. For those between the ages of 65 and 84, they are the second-leading cause of death caused by an injury. According to the CDC, there were 15,000 fall deaths among those age 65 and older in 2005.
A fall can occur at both work or at home. Falling contributes to nearly half of all unintentional deaths that occur in a private residence, and a majority of these falls do not occur at heights. Furthermore, it is the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims and the leading cause of injuries at work for those who are 55 and older. Although these incidents are rarely fatal, they can result in a worker spending many days away from their jobs.
Wet floors, torn carpets or other dangerous conditions could lead to a fall, which may lead to injury or death. If a property owner failed to remedy or warn about a dangerous condition, that person may be liable for damages an injured person incurs. These damages may include the cost of current and future medical bills. If an injury occurs while at work, an individual may file a workers’ compensation claim.