Slip and Fall

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, over one million Americans suffer a slip, trip and fall injury. Over 17,000 people die in the United States annually because of these injuries. Slip, trip and fall injuries result in 50% of all job related injuries, which accounts for about 12-15 percent of all workers compensation expenses.

The CDC categories falls to two basic types: Elevator falls, and same height and level falls. Same height and level falls are more common and therefore cause more injuries to more people, but elevator falls are the most serious and cause more severe injuries to a less number of people. In fact, 60% of all elevator falls are from heights less than 10 feet. Same height and level falls are usually slips and trip accidents and injuries usually take place when the individual hits a working surface or hits another object in the course of the fall.

According to the CDC, unintentional falls account for nearly 20,000 deaths annually in the United States. The Center estimates 20-30 percent of people who experience a slip and fall suffer moderate to severe injuries, such as bruises, hip fractures or head injuries. These injuries can inhibit mobility and handle independent living. Slip and fall accidents are common causes of traumatic brain injuries and account for 46% of fatal falls among older Americans. The most common fractures that occur from slip and fall accidents are fractures of the spine, hip, forearm, leg and many other parts of the body.

Slip and falls are mainly caused by a slippery surface. When people walk two types of slips can occur, one of these occurs as the heel of the foot meets the walking surface and the front of the foot slips forward, forcing the person to fall backwards. The other type occurs when the foot slips backward upon force to move forward on the sole of the rear foot.

The National Safety Council estimates there are 110,000 injuries to the feet and toes of U.S. workers annually, which accounts for 19% of all disabling work injuries.

Slip and fall accidents can cause other complications including but not limited to the following:

1. Death;
2. Incapacitation;
3. Broken bones and fractures;
4. Long-term medical complications;
5. Head Trauma, and
6. Spinal cord injuries.

The CDC reports that almost 1,800 older Americans die annually from fall related injuries in nursing homes across the nation. The Center estimates that nursing home residents account for 20% of all deaths in persons 65 years of age and older. Over one-third of all adults in that age group will suffer some sort of slip and fall accident every year. Slip and fall accidents account for more injury deaths of older Americans than any other form of accident. In total, over 15,000 people 65 years or older die annually from slip and fall injuries. Close to 2 million are treated in emergency rooms for injuries suffered as a result of a slip and fall accident.