With temperatures dropping below freezing during this time of year, slip and fall injuries are at their highest. Slip and fall accidents send more people to the emergency room than any other accident, according to the National Safety Council.
Slip and fall injuries are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries (including concussions), plus:
- Fractured bones
- Sprains and strains
- Soft tissue tears
- Contusions
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
Falls happen all year long, of course, whether it’s on a slippery floor, a senior falling in a nursing home, a slip in one’s own home, or a worker falling from a ladder. Add icy conditions and these accidents rise dramatically. Winter-related slips and falls claims doubled in 2013-2014 over the previous year, representing 29 percent of all workers’ compensation claims, according to Accident Fund Insurance Company of America and United Heartland. Indiana leads the way.
Here’s the breakdown by states:
Indiana – 37 percent
Wisconsin – 33 percent
Michigan – 32 percent
Illinois – 32 percent
Minnesota – 29 percent
Falls are caused by a variety of reasons. Some of them are due to negligence on the part of a property owner, a nursing home, or an employer. Those are the kinds of injuries that Theodoros & Rooth wants to hear about. If you are a victim, we want to help.
While falls can happen to anyone, the likelihood of falling and the severity of the injury increases with age. 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.
If you have a loved one living in a care facility, it’s a good idea to do an inspection of the premises to make sure it is safe. Find out if the facility has had a high rate of accidents.
If you believe that a slip and fall was caused by an irresponsible property owner, contact Theodoros & Rooth immediately. It would also greatly help if you were able to take photographs of the hazardous portion of the property where your accident took place and get the names and numbers of any witnesses. Under no conditions should you accept a settlement from the property owners or their insurance company until you talk to us. The fact is, some injuries don’t fully become evident until days or even weeks after the accident.
Theodoros & Rooth will investigate your case and work aggressively to win compensation to help pay those growing medical bills and possible loss of income as a result.