Slip and fall accidents are some of the most common causes of injury in Vermont and the United States. Most people don’t think about the dangers of slip and fall accidents and the harm that they cause until it affects them and their family.
Many people also don’t realize how costly a slip and fall accident can be. For those who have been injured in a slip and fall accident, working with a Vermont personal injury attorney is the best way to recover the compensation needed to get back to normal life. Here are 10 facts about slip and falls to demonstrate the seriousness of these types of accidents.
1. More than one million people go to the emergency room each year for a slip and fall accident
The number of people who need emergency medical care because of a slip and fall is more than one million each year. That’s more than two thousand people each day in the United States alone. There are approximately eight million emergency room visits each year because of falls. Of those falls, about 12 percent are slip and fall accidents.
2. The average cost of a slip and fall is $30,000 to $40,000
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average hospital cost of a slip and fall is more than $30,000. Another source says that snow-related slip and fall accidents cost between $33,000 and $48,000 on average. These costs not only devastate families, but they raise insurance costs that impact our entire society.
3. Approximately five percent of slip and falls involve broken bones
When you slip and fall, there’s a five percent chance that you’re going to break a bone. A slip and fall accident causes severe injuries in 20-30 percent of cases.
A fracture can cause serious pain in addition to increasing your recovery time and causing emotional anguish. When you suffer serious injuries because of a slip and fall, you may recover for pain and suffering in addition to recovering for your medical bills.
4. Approximately one-third of adults over 65 fall each year
The older you get, the more likely you are to fall, and the more serious your slip and fall accident is expected to be. In fact, slip and falls are the most significant cause of injuries on the job for people over 55. Also, more than 60 percent of nursing home residents fall at least once each year.
5. But slip and falls are a leading cause of injury for all age groups
Even though slip and fall accidents are often the most serious for older adults, they’re a leading cause of injury for all age groups. In fact, slip and falls are the most common way non-fatal injuries occur for every age group except for people between the ages of 10 and 24. For people ages 10-24, it’s the second-most common cause of non-fatal injuries.
6. Falls are the most common cause of brain injury
Even though most people associate brain injuries with organized sports, the most common way to suffer a brain injury is falling. A brain injury can be devastating because the victim may not even realize the extent of their injuries. A brain injury can have lingering effects, and it’s critical to recognize, diagnose, and treat a brain injury correctly.
7. Falls are the most common cause of hip fractures
Falls are responsible for a whopping 95 percent of hip fractures. A hip fracture often requires invasive surgery. The pain, suffering, and limited mobility from a hip fracture can change your life in an instant.
8. Medical bills for slip and fall injuries top $34 billion each year
Slip and fall accidents cost Americans more than $34 billion each year. In fact, medical bills are a leading cause of bankruptcy. The medical bills that result from a slip and fall are often both unexpected and devastating.
9. Slip and fall victims miss an average of 11 days of work
In addition to medical bills and other damages, slip and fall accidents cost businesses in terms of lost work productivity. A slip and fall accident results in an average of 11 lost days of work.
In cases of serious injury, lost work productivity may be much more significant. If you miss work because of a slip and fall, you may recover for lost income in addition to your other damages.
10. Most cases never go to a jury trial
Many people hesitate to bring a personal injury action because they worry about having to testify in a courtroom formally. But almost all cases settle and during the current COVID emergency there aren’t any trials any way.
You May Have a Legal Remedy
When you’re hurt in a slip and fall accident, Vermont law may give you the right to recover from the responsible party.
If someone else causes your slip and fall by not being careful enough, they may owe you compensation for your financial losses and suffering.
If their failure to exercise appropriate care results in your injuries, Vermont law allows you to bring a claim for recovery.
Please call me for a free consultation. My number is [nap_phone id=”LOCAL-REGULAR-NUMBER-1″].