Property owners’ negligence can put you at risk in a variety of different ways. Wet floors without warning signs can cause you to slip in stores, public buildings and more. Uneven sidewalks, damaged outdoor steps and icy sidewalks can put you at risk during a simple walk around the block. Unrepaired loose handrails can leave you without the support you need.
While some may wrongfully dismiss these falls, the truth is that they can cause serious injuries and have a significant impact on the lives of people who experience them. How common is it for someone to suffer a slip, trip or fall because of a property owner’s failure to properly maintain their property?
How common are trips, slips and falls?
Slip and fall injuries are the top cause of emergency room visits. Falls account for around one-quarter of injury-related emergency room visits nationwide. In addition, more than 200,000 people each year are forced to spend time away from their work because of a fall, slip or trip, leaving them without that income at the same time they face increased medical costs.
Falls can be especially common and especially dangerous for elderly people. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one-quarter of elderly adults experiences a fall each year. This leads to 3 million people over the age of 65 visiting the emergency room and over 800,000 hospitalized due to fractures from a fall.
If you or a loved one experienced a fall as a result of the negligent actions of a property owner, you may want to take legal action. A personal injury lawsuit may help you get the financial support that you need to recover.