When an elderly person falls, the injuries sustained as a result can be devastating. Injuries that are usually sustained after accidents such as these can have long-term effects and significantly reduce the quality of life of the victim. While some fall accidents can leave older adults with less serious injuries such as cuts or bruises, some falls can cause severe injuries, including a traumatic head injury.
If you have been involved in a slip and fall accident, we highly recommend seeking legal representation as soon as possible. Recovering from a fall accident can take a long time, especially when the victim is elderly. Dealing with the financial damages that usually follow fall accidents can also be very stressful and worrying for elderly people. By hiring an experienced attorney, you can recover damages, including medical bills and damaged property. At The Law Place, our attorneys have a combined experience of 75 years dealing with personal injury cases. We understand how daunting dealing with a personal injury case can seem after a fall accident, which is why our lawyers will fight in your corner to get the compensation that you deserve. We’ll deal with legal documentation and insurance companies so that you can rest and recover from your fall-related injuries stress-free.
You can call us whenever you want to speak to a professional personal injury lawyer to discuss your case. A member of our legal team will review your case and explain the legal proceedings and technicalities involved in your case. Call us at (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation with a lawyer at our law firm today.
Why Do Falls Occur Among Older Adults?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of injuries amongst older people in the US. Fall accidents that may have little to no impact on a younger person can even be fatal for older people, particularly if they are already suffering from an illness or condition. Also, as a person ages, their muscles weaken, and bone density changes, making fractures and other physical injuries more likely to occur. Plus, sustaining these injuries when older also makes the recovery time significantly longer.
As a person gets older, their bodily functions deteriorate over time. Impairments of vision and balance are more common amongst older people, which makes them more likely to be involved in a fall accident. Similarly, due to physical impairments such as these, older people are more likely to have delays in reaction times. When a person isn’t able to react to a situation quickly, they are more likely to get injured.
What’s more, older people are more likely to take medication for chronic illnesses, including arthritis, neurotic diseases, and high blood pressure. Although necessary, this medication can have side effects such as dizziness and blurred vision, which can hinder mobility and balance. Therefore, fall accidents are more likely to occur amongst older people who take prescription medication that can cause these issues.
Common Injuries Sustained After a Slip and Fall Accident
Unfortunately, slip and fall accidents among elderly people are not uncommon. When an older person falls, the risk of them sustaining a serious injury increases significantly due to their age.
Some of the common injuries that a person can sustain after a slip and fall accident include:
- Head injury, including traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Bruises, cuts, and sprains.
- Spinal cord injury.
- Broken bones.
- Hip fractures.
- Internal bleeding.
- Soft tissue injuries.
Injuries that can be sustained after a fall accident often require the victim to receive medical treatment. Medical bills can be expensive, and finding the funds to cover these costs can be very stressful. If your case is strong enough, a personal injury lawyer at The Law Place will fight to get you the compensation that you deserve. At our law firm, we believe that victims of these accidents should not have to feel stressed or anxious about covering these expenses, especially when recovering from the physical injuries and psychological trauma after an accident that wasn’t their fault. Call us today to schedule your free consultation with a professional personal injury attorney today.
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Effects of a Slip and Fall Accident on an Older Person’s Mental Health
Recovering from physical injuries that follow a slip and fall accident can be a long and grueling process, particularly for older people. Receiving medical treatment, including surgery, can be stressful for anyone, especially for those of an older age. Victims may be reluctant to continue their life as normal after an accident. For example, daily activities, including visiting supermarkets, restaurants, and parks, can be seen as hazardous for victims of slip and fall accidents. Victims also often feel anxious at home as they could trip and fall over rugs, shoes, or other objects in the home.
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How to Prevent Falls
In order to alleviate fears and anxiety, victims can keep potential obstructions such as shoes on the floor in storage and move any objects on high shelves so that they are easier to reach. Similarly, people can use assistive devices in order to reduce the likelihood of these falls from occurring. For example, installing grab bars in the bathroom and handrails on the stairs can help a person maintain balance in the home. Eliminating potential hazards and installing fall prevention equipment is the best way to prevent falls from occurring. A family member or friend can help with this.
Also, older adults can try balance exercises in order to improve balance and mobility, which can reduce the fall risk. Likewise, elderly people should take regular sight tests to ensure they are not visually impaired. An individual can improve their impaired vision by seeking advice and guidance from health care providers. What’s more, we recommend people wear sensible footwear while moving around the home as well as outside. Avoid wearing floppy slippers, especially when going up and down the stairs, and wear shoes with non-skid soles.
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What Should I Do After a Fall Accident?
If you have fallen and injured yourself, it is important to stay calm. If necessary, use furniture to help you get up slowly. Before continuing with what you were doing, sit down and wait for a few minutes to ensure you are not experiencing dizziness. If you have been injured, it is recommended to call 911 and ask for the relevant services. A doctor or other medical professional will assess the injuries you have sustained and determine the injury severity. Once a medical professional has assessed your condition, they will decide if you need further treatment. Injuries including broken bones and serious head injuries require urgent medical treatment. Fall injuries can often be serious, especially when the victim is elderly. Therefore, seeking medical attention soon after an accident is very important.
Once you have recovered from the initial fall-related injuries, call our law firm. If you feel your accident wasn’t your fault and caused by the negligence of another party, then you may be eligible to seek compensation. A personal injury lawyer can help determine how much you may be owed and fight so that you receive it.
Damages You May Be Able to Claim For
If you have suffered after a fall accident, it’s likely that you have incurred costs that need to be covered, as well as the injuries sustained.
Damages that an attorney could help you recover include:
- Medical bills – After an older person is injured after a slip and fall accident, the chances of them needing medical care are high. Medical treatment is often expensive, and medical bills usually leave victims of these accidents with large debts to worry about. For example, if you have undergone surgery or have received physical therapy as a result of your injuries following your accident, you could be owed tens of thousands of dollars in hospital expenses. A lawyer can review your medical bills and calculate how much you may be owed. Once your attorney has determined this amount, they won’t rest until they have recovered it for you.
- Lost wages – If you are still working, you may be able to claim the losses of income you have experienced as a result of your accident. Being left unable to work can be especially stressful when the individual is unable to earn the money they would have earned if it wasn’t for the accident. A lawyer can calculate how much you may be owed in lost wages so that you can recover this amount in compensation.
- Damaged property – If your property has been damaged due to your accident, you may be able to claim compensation to cover the costs of repairing or replacing them. For example, if your cell phone was broken during the fall, you may be able to obtain compensation for this.
- Pain and suffering – It’s likely that you have suffered both physically and mentally after your accident. When an older person sustains injuries after a fall accident, they may have been left incapable of carrying out daily tasks or activities they once did. For example, an accident could leave an individual unable to drive or care for themselves. As a result, the victim may require additional assistance, such as a carer that must be paid for. A personal injury lawyer can evaluate your case and establish how your life has changed due to your accident, and seek compensation for this.
- Wrongful death – According to Florida Statute 768.21,families of the decedent can claim compensation if the victim died from the injuries sustained after a fall accident.
The effects of a fall on an older person can be detrimental physically, mentally, and financially. Having experienced legal representation is essential to receive the compensation that you may be entitled to after a slip and fall accident.
At The Law Place, our legal team has the required expertise and experience to ensure your case is dealt with quickly and efficiently. We understand that the legal process can be stressful, which is we try to reduce the time it takes to win the compensation that our clients deserve as much as possible. We do this by building a strong case that cannot be disputed by insurance companies or other parties involved. Call our law firm today for a free case evaluation and find out how much compensation you could receive with the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Contact The Law Place Today
If you are an older person who has been involved in a fall accident, contact The Law Place today. The effects of an accident such as yours can be devastating not only physically but mentally and financially too. Hiring a personal injury lawyer from our law firm increases the likelihood of receiving compensation for your claim. If you’re entitled to compensation, we’ll fight tirelessly so that you get it.
At The Law Place, we have an impressive track record when it comes to winning compensation for victims of fall accidents. Our highly experienced legal team provides clients with useful legal advice, support, and guidance. We understand the complexities and technicalities of the Florida legal system, so you can have confidence that your case is in the best hands.
Our phone lines are open 24/7, so you can call us when it suits you. Call us at (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation with a top personal injury lawyer today and see how much compensation you may be entitled to claim.
