Colorado Slip-and-Fall Injury Attorney
| Unintentional Falls
In 2009, unintentional falls were the leading cause of nonfatal injuries among every age group in the U.S. except individuals aged 15 to 24. For that group, falls were the second leading cause of nonfatal injury. In 2009, unintentional falls injured 8,765,597 Americans. About a fourth of those injured in falls are over the age of 65. Unintentional falls kill more than 22,000 people nationwide in a year’s time. Of the more than 2 million older Americans seen in emergency rooms for fall-related injuries, more than 582,000 are hospitalized for treatment. Falls cost an estimated $19 billion-plus dollars yearly in health care. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
In the U.S., unintentional falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries for nearly every age group. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that falls cost the health care system in this country more than $19 million per year. The organization also says that as many as three out of 10 falls cause injuries that are serious enough to interfere with victims’ mobility or to make it difficult for them to live independently. Some injuries even contribute to earlier deaths. If you or someone you love has been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, you may need help with medical care. Speak with a qualified personal injury attorney to explore your rights.
At the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal, our Denver injury lawyers have seen many instances in which people suffer long-term health consequences because of injuries sustained in unintentional falls. We know that the types of injuries that result from falls can be severe. Especially when head injuries cause harm to the brain or when fractures to the hips, legs and feet interfere with the victim’s ability to stand and walk. When you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall incident, it is important to know your rights. You may be entitled to compensation. Our Colorado slip-and-fall injury attorneys can accurately assess your situation and provide you with the legal guidance you need.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that falls most commonly kill people when they result in traumatic brain injuries and in injuries to the lower extremities. In fact, more than three-fourths of the deaths resulting from falls are caused by those types of injuries. When it comes to nonfatal injuries, broken bones are the most often encountered result of falls. About a third of nonfatal fall injuries are fractures, and the CDC says they account of about $12 billion in fall-related costs each year.
Two-thirds of the costs of nonfatal fall injuries are attributed to hospitalizations, emphasizing the expense that can arise when falls occur. On average, hospitalization costs total about $17,500 for a fall injury. Twenty percent of the costs of falls can be attributed to emergency room treatment, the CDC adds.
Fall injuries can run the gamut from minor bruises and cuts to fatal head injuries. Further, the CDC’s statistics demonstrate that fall injuries aren’t a possibility that plagues only the elderly. A special report by the organization notes that slip-and-fall injuries are a particular problem among workers in healthcare industries, causing a 90% higher rate of lost-workday injuries “than in all other private industries combined.”
Slip-and-fall injuries can occur because of many different factors. They might be attributable to spills that leave floors wet and slippery. Uneven or irregular surfaces can contribute to falls. Dim or inadequate lighting can make it difficult to see in hallways, walkways and other areas. Weather conditions can add to potential hazards on walkways, as can absent or inadequate handrails and other safety devices. Cords, wires, and clutter can pose tripping hazards in homes, stores and workplaces, as can rugs, mats and other common implements. Clearly, the potential factors that can contribute to slip-and-fall accidents are many and varied.
At the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal, our Colorado injury lawyers know that the injuries you suffer in a fall can be severe and long-lasting. A traumatic head injury or spinal corddamage can leave you permanently disabled. If family members count on your for financial support, your injury can have devastating effects not only on you, but also on the people you love. Our attorneys understand that serious injuries can make it difficult to seek the legal advice you need. That’s why we are prepared to come to your bedside to meet with you. We offer a free initial consultation to assess the circumstances in which your fall injury occurred. Our firm is known for its caring approach to working with injury victims, and for its aggressive representation when your injury calls for intervention by a skilled personal injury attorney. When you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, compensation may be available to help you pay for expensive medical care and replace the income you’ve lost because of your injuries. Call the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal at (303) 825-2223. We’ll help you understand your rights.
Contact our Denver Colorado Personal Injury Law Firm at 303-825-2223
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