How Senior Citizens Are Affected by Slip and Fall Accidents

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Senior citizens who have an accident from a slip and fall may suffer painful, long-lasting results that impact their quality of life.

If you or a loved one have suffered an accident due to a business owner’s negligence, you may want to consult with a slip and fall lawyer to receive compensation for your injuries. Here are some ways senior citizens can be impacted by their falls:

Increased Risk of Death

Slip and fall accidents aren’t always fatal for the average person. For senior citizens, they are deadlier as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that one in three people aged 65 or older have a reported fall. Around 60 percent of those who die from a fall are 75 years or older.

Many of the deaths happen when the person hits their head in a fall. Others may develop an infection from an open wound that was sustained in a fall.

The person may suffer a spinal cord injury, which often leads to death. Family members who lose a loved one in such a way deserve to be compensated for a wrongful death.

Decreased Independence

Senior citizens have a more difficult time healing from an injury that results after a fall. They may lose their independence and not be able to take care of themselves on their own anymore.

Many seniors must go to a long-term care facility after a hip fracture or other injury in a fall. Even though their injury heals, they may not fully recover the same level of independence. A slip and fall lawyer can help the senior get compensation to pay for these extra expenses.

A senior citizen may lose stability and mobility after a broken bone. They often require a cane or walker to help them get around. Some people who sustain a serious injury after a fall will end up falling again with even more severe consequences.

After a senior recovers from an injury, they may go to a nursing home or live with family members who help them with their daily routines.

Increased Mental Health Decline

Falls impact a senior citizen’s mental health in two ways. They may suffer from memory loss and other cognitive issues if they hit their head in the fall. A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is serious for a person of any age, but the impacts are often more serious for older people.

A TBI often causes short-term memory loss and personality changes. While these symptoms may be temporary, sometimes they are long-term.

Another impact comes with decreased socialization. If senior citizens are unable to get out and are less mobile than before the fall, they miss out on visiting with friends and family. A person who was once active in their community or spent time with friends is now stuck at home because they fear the risk of falling again.

Decreased Confidence

Because it takes longer for senior citizens to recover from a fall than someone young, they often become more cautious. They might lose their self-confidence and be more afraid to get out again.

Someone who was once active can become timid and afraid to leave their home. Elderly individuals will stay at home where they can hold onto furniture as they walk. This will help in the event that they lose their balance.

A Slip and Fall Lawyer Can Help

A lawyer who specializes in personal injury cases can help seniors and their families get compensation for a slip and fall accident. These accidents provide various negative effects that are often permanent. Financial compensation helps families care for their loved ones in the best way possible. Start your search for a reputable lawyer in your area today.