Seniors are among the most vulnerable people in society. Especially when it comes to getting hurt, those who are over 65 years of age are more prone than others to suffer serious medical health consequences. For this reason, a slip and fall injury can be devastating. In some cases, it can even lead to death, if the injury is not taken care of properly.
Here’s what you should know (and why you should speak to an attorney) if you are a senior who has fallen—or if you know a senior who has fallen—because of another person’s negligence.
Why Seniors Are More Vulnerable after a Slip and Fall Injury
To understand why falling injuries are especially destructive for older people, we first need to know why and how seniors are so vulnerable to injuries in the first place.
Because of bone density loss, loss of mobility, loss of motor function, and poor vision later in life, elderly people have a harder time getting around and completing everyday tasks, like grocery shopping. Even a small obstacle like a loose cereal box on the floor can prove dangerous, posing a potential risk of a slip and fall injury.
When a senior gets hurt, they also have a harder road to recovery to travel. Broken bones are especially painful and difficult for seniors to recover from, in general. Getting hurt in a slip and fall injury is also dangerous for the elderly because head trauma is common. Unlike younger people, who can usually stop a fall with their hands or shoulders, seniors are less agile and therefore more likely to hit their heads.
Common Injuries for the Elderly
As mentioned above, broken bones, head trauma, and complications from recovery are some of the most common injuries that seniors can face when they fall. Conditions like osteoporosis also make it more likely that these injuries will be more severe than they would be in a younger person.
Here are some of the most devastating injuries that can occur:
- Skull fractures
- Brain damage
- Spinal fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage
- Broken hips
- Broken ribs
- Internal bleeding
It is important to note that these are not the only injuries that might occur. The amount of compensation that you might be entitled to for your injuries depends on several factors, including the cost of your medical care, lost income, and non-monetary damages, like pain and suffering.
If you or someone you know has been in a slip and fall accident, you should speak to a qualified attorney to see if your case is worth pursuing. The sooner you contact an expert, the more likely it will be that the evidence that will support your case can be preserved.
You Should Be Compensated for Your Slip and Fall Injury
Talk to Pacin Levine Attorneys at Law today. We are ready to help you sort through the personal injury claim process so that you can get back to living your life.
Are you ready to pursue your case? Contact us today and set up an appointment to speak to an attorney. Call us at 1-800-24-7-CRASH or write to us at [email protected].
