Statistics show that slip and fall accidents are much more common than many people believe, and these types of accidents can result in fractures, head trauma, and other injuries severe enough to warrant a visit to the emergency room. Falls are the cause of over 8 million hospital emergency room visits—about 21% of the total visits in a typical ER. Slip and fall accidents account for over 1 million visits—or about 12% of total falls. 
According to the Mayo Clinic, falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children and adults. Falls down stairs, from a ladder, or in the bath are the most common.
Work-Related Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and falls are a common cause of work-related injury in many industries. Workers in service, wholesale, and retail trade industries experience 60% of slip and fall accidents.
Employees slipping on floors that are slick because of chemical spills or rain and snow account for 85% of workers’ compensation claims, according to the Industrial Safety & Occupational Health Markets 5th edition.
Although the majority of people injured in slip and fall accidents can return to work fairly quickly, there is a real potential for injuries requiring a lengthy recovery period. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 22% of slip and fall accidents result in at least 31 days of work missed by employees.
Workers who are injured in slip and fall accidents can file a workers’ compensation claim for benefits, but they may also be eligible to file a third-party personal injury claim depending on the circumstances of the accident. The National Safety Council Reports that lost wage compensation and medical costs associated with employee slip and fall accidents are about $70 billion per year.
Falls at Home
Slip and fall accidents can occur in private homes due to causes such as wet floors, loose flooring, poor lighting, and debris in walking paths. About half of all accidental deaths in the home are the result of a slip and fall accident.
Seniors and Falls
Although people of all ages experience slip and fall accidents each year, seniors have a high risk of serious complications. The National Institute on Aging reports that 30% of people over the age of 65 will suffer a fall each year.
Individuals over 85 are 10 to 15 times more likely to suffer a hip fracture than people age 60 to 65. Hip fractures can make it difficult for a senior to continue living independently, which is why fall-related injuries are a primary cause of 40% of annual nursing home admissions.
Most slip and fall accidents do not involve fatal injuries, but the risk of fatal falls increases with every passing decade of life. Over 60% of fatal slip and fall accidents involve people age 75 and over.
Protect Yourself by Contacting Neblett, Beard & Arsenault
When someone is injured in a work-related fall, workers compensation benefits pay for medical care and a portion of lost wages. The majority of Louisiana workers are covered by workers’ compensation insurance from their first day of employment, even if their own inexperience or inattentiveness contributed to the slip and fall accident.
For non-work-related falls, an injured victim is only entitled to compensation if the property owner knew or should have known about a hazard and failed to take action to correct the problem. If liability can be established, compensation can include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. When the victim is found to be partially at fault for the accident, competition is proportionally reduced by the percentage of fault.
Have You Been Injured In A Louisiana Slip And Fall?
If you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall you need to speak with an experienced slip and fall attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Alexandria office directly at 318.541.8188 to schedule your free consultation.