These days, it can feel like accident and tragedy is lurking around every corner. If you’ve turned on the news lately, you’ve probably heard more than a bit of doom and gloom. I’ve always done my best not to look at the world this way. Even after spending a career surrounded by people in some of the worst situations you could imagine, I’ve done my best to maintain a positive outlook on life.
However, a career in personal injury has also shown me that accidents can take many forms and happen when we least expect them. I believe this is information worth knowing, not because it’s shocking, but because we can use it to make better decisions. Better knowledge and better decisions will make us all much safer in the long run.
Slips and Falls
Today I’ve been doing some research on slips and falls in the United States. When you think of a potentially deadly accident, your mind probably pictures the scene of a bad car crash.
It’s not hard to imagine that two giant hunks of metal careening into each other at speed can cause serious damage to anyone inside. Maybe instead you picture a motorcyclist who lost control on a wet patch, or semi-truck who collided with a driver in its blind spot.
Whatever you picture, I’m willing to bet that the first thing that pops into your head isn’t someone slipping or falling.
According to the World Health Organization, falls are the second leading cause of accidental injury-related deaths worldwide. They’re the number one cause of injury and death for older Americans.
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Falls Are a Serious Issue
- One out of every five falls causes a serious injury
- More than 800,000 people a year are hospitalized due to a fall injury
- Falls are the number one cause of traumatic brain injury, also known as TBI
- In 2015, the total medical cost for falls was more than $50 billion
This isn’t an issue that is going to take care of itself. From 2007 to 2016, the rate of fall-related deaths for older adults in the U.S. actually increased by 30 percent. So what’s causing these slip and fall accidents?
What Are the Risk Factors?
- Weakness in lower body
- Use of medicines like sedatives or antidepressants
- Vision issues
- Home or work hazards like uneven steps or clutter that can be tripped on
These are just a few. There are many different factors that can contribute to your risk for falling and injuring yourself.
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How Can I Prevent Falls?
- Talk with your doctor, they can evaluate how at risk you are
- Do exercises that increase your strength and balance
- Get your eyes checked often
- Make your home or workplace safer by adding grab rails and getting rid of trip hazards
Falling once doubles your chance of falling again, so it’s important to remain vigilant of your surroundings and to stay in good health. The best thing about falls is that they’re preventable. If you’ve fallen in the past, or worry that you may in the future, there are many things you can do to reduce your risk.
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Contact Brooks Law Group
If you, or a loved one, have been injured due to a slip, trip or fall on the job or in your home, contact the Brooks Law Group at (800) LAW-3030 for a free consultation today. You’ll owe us nothing unless we recover money for you, and our attorneys are focused on providing “the Best Client Experience Possible.” Find out how we can serve you by submitting an online case review or by visiting one of our offices today.
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