Yorba Linda Slip and Fall Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Yorba Linda slip-and-fall accident, please contact us for a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation. Call 949-203-3814 today!

Individuals over the age of 65 are at higher risk of suffering an injury in a slip-and-fall accident than those who are younger. The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 82 percent of fall deaths suffered in the year 2008 involved elderly people. In fact, one in every three elderly adults are involved in a falling accident each year. These potentially life-threatening incidents can occur at their home, at a place of business or in a nursing home. Those who are injured as a result of a slip-and-fall accident caused by someone else's negligence would be well advised to contact an experienced Yorba Linda slip-and-fall lawyer to obtain more information about their legal rights and options.

Fall Statistics Involving Seniors

According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury death among adults 65 years of age or older. Falling incidents are also the most common cause of non-fatal injuries and hospital admissions for seniors. The CDC reports:

• 2.2 million seniors visited the emergency room in the year 2009 for non-fatal fall injuries.
• Of those victims, 581,000 required hospitalization.
• 19,700 seniors were killed in unintentional falling injuries in the year 2008.
• Between 20 to 30 percent of injured seniors suffer moderate to severe injuries involving lacerations, head trauma or hip fractures. These injuries often make it difficult for the victim to continue living independently.
• Most fractures suffered by seniors occur as a result of falls. The most common are fractures to the spine, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm, and hand.

Falls involving the elderly can occur anywhere. In fact, many seniors living independently are injured in their own home. These types of incidents are often the reason why seniors begin to consider leaving their home for full time care.

Fall-Related Injuries in Nursing Home

Simply because a senior is receiving full time care, it does not mean that they are no longer in danger of suffering an injury in a falling accident. In fact, a recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that 21 percent of newly admitted nursing home residents sustained at least one fall during their first 30 days in the facility.

The CDC reports that a typical nursing home with 100 beds reports 100 to 200 falls each year. This is a staggering statistic considering how many falls and incidents go unreported. According to a separate study by the CDC, between half and three-quarters of nursing home residents fall each year. Patients who have fallen are more likely to fall multiple times. In fact, the average for nursing home patients is approximately 2.6 falls per year. Tragically, approximately 1,800 seniors die from falls in nursing homes annually.

Rights of Slip-and-Fall Victims

Injured victims of slip-and-fall accidents can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and pain and suffering. Victims who suffer slip-and-fall injuries can file a personal injury claim against the property owner or manager. Seniors who suffer falls in nursing homes that are responsible for their can file a claim against the nursing home seeking damages.

The experienced Yorba Linda slip-and-fall lawyers at our law firm have a long and successful track record of protecting the rights of injured victims and their families. It is often challenge to prove fault and liability in slip-and-fall cases.

In personal injury claims, including slip-and-fall cases, the burden of proof is on the plaintiff, which means that the claimant must prove negligence. We have the knowledge, skill and tenacity it takes to hold negligent parties accountable.