Look Out Below: Increased Ice Leads to Increase in Slip and Fall Injuries

 Posted on January 02, 2018 in Premises Liability

As temperatures in the greater Chicagoland area continue to rest below freezing temperatures, ice and snow continues to spread. Most people are well aware of the increased dangers of driving during the winter, as limited visibility, decreased space on the road, and worsening conditions, make driving in the winter a risky endeavor. But winter weather does not only change the landscape of vehicular travel, it increases risk of injury for pedestrians and employees, as they navigate the sidewalks to and from their stores of choice and respective places of work.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 800,000 people are hospitalized annually due to an injury caused by slipping and falling. If you or a member of your family suffer an injury due to slipping on the ice this winter, contact a personal injury attorney.

Types and Costs of Injuries

The two most common injuries that occur during a fall are injuries to the head and hip. Suffering head trauma can be incredibly painful, disorienting, and expensive. A break to the hip bone, however, can be one of the most grueling injuries imaginable and almost always requires surgery.

Serious injuries to either the head or hip have the potential to impact a victim’s life long-term. Recurring or severe head trauma can result in memory loss and other symptoms comparable to dementia down the road, while serious hip injuries can hamper a victim’s ability to walk unassisted for long periods of time. Considering the medical costs of hospital visits, physical rehabilitation, and prescription drugs, fall injuries are among the most expensive injuries, as the average cost of a serious fall is upwards of $30,000.

Patrons and Employees

During the winter months, sidewalks and walkways require diligent upkeep. In many cases, slip and fall injuries can be attributed to the negligence of a business owner. Business owners are responsible for shoveling snow, applying salt, and scraping ice off of the sidewalks outside their establishment. Despite this, many business owners fail to uphold their end of the bargain, for both their patrons and employees.

Every year consumers and employees alike suffer slip and fall injuries due to the negligence of business owners. According to the Insurance Information Institute, slip and fall injuries account for 29 percent of all worker’s compensation claims.

The Good News

While the recovery from a slip and fall injury can be taxing and painful, the good news is many victims are able to file injury claims if the fall can be attributed to business owner negligence. The average claim for a slip and fall injury is $33,000, which would in most cases cover all medical costs post-injury. For employees who suffer slip and fall injuries, the average worker’s compensation claim falls just under $50,000.

If you suffer a slip and fall injury either as a patron or employee, contact us at 847-662-3303 or visit us online to work with our knowledgeable and experienced Waukegan personal injury attorneys.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/fallcost.html

https://www.iii.org/press-release/with-another-blizzard-in-sight-brush-up-on-facts-statistics-and-analyses-of-winter-storm-damage-and-insurance-012615

https://www.healthline.com/health/hip-fracture-surgeries