When you think of Connecticut, and when slip and falls incidents are most apt to happen here, you probably think about the winter and the potential for someone to slip and fall on ice or snow. There are plenty of other instances that may result in someone suffering a slip and fall. It’s possible to do so on a freshly waxed grocery store floor, near an office building’s entryway where someone has tracked in rainwater or any number of other places.
Older Americans are particularly vulnerable to suffering slips and falls. They also happen to be most apt to suffer more serious injuries and to fall again. You may want to learn more about the risk factors that they face.
How often do slip-and-fall incidents involve seniors?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics show that nearly one million patients end up in hospital emergency rooms after suffering falls each year. This data also shows how at least 25% of adults age 65 and over fall once every year in the U.S.
This population is twice as likely to fall a second time once they have their first fall. Safety analysts suspect that seniors’ chances of suffering another fall increase due to them becoming less active and thus experiencing weakness, making them more vulnerable to having another tumble.
At least 20% of slip-and fall-incidents result in either fractures or head trauma. An estimated 300,000 slip-and fall-patients receive treatment for hip injuries each year.
You have rights if your fall is attributable to someone else’s negligence
Every property owner has an obligation to ensure that their premises are safe for visitors. Connecticut law might allow you to recover compensation if someone’s negligence resulted in your slip and fall. An attorney can review your case to determine whether you may be entitled to compensation.
