Pursuing Compensation After a Slip and Fall Injury

 Posted on October 10, 2018 in Premises Liability

With the temperatures dropping and the leaves falling from the trees, all Illinoisans know that winter is coming. While the greater Chicago area often resembles a winter wonderland during the coldest months of the year, the changing of seasons also comes with some new dangers. Along with colder weather, ice and snow will soon be finding their way onto sidewalks throughout the state. 

For pedestrians, the inclement terrain that comes during the winter months can be particularly hazardous. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 800,000 Americans are hospitalized each year due to slip and fall injuries. If you or a loved one are injured after falling at or near an establishment, you should speak to an attorney to determine whether you may be able to pursue financial compensation. 

What Fall Injuries Can Cost You

While the vast majority of people that suffer a fall walk away relatively unharmed, some are not so fortunate. The majority of hospitalized slip and fall victims suffer either head or hip injuries. Head injuries can cause concussions, painful headaches, and loss of cognition. Injuries to the hip can cause stiffness, loss of mobility, and loss of work hours. Both of these injuries can be excruciatingly painful, and they may require expensive medical treatment. Studies conducted by the CDC found that the average slip and fall hospitalization results in approximately $30,000 in medical costs. 

Impact on Elderly Americans

Tragically, slip and fall injuries have a much more severe impact on elderly Americans. One in four Americans over the age of 65 suffers a serious fall injury each year. Falls are much more common among elderly Americans due to their lower body strength, difficulties with balance and mobility, and loss of vision or cognition. When an elderly person suffers a fall, it is likely to come with more severe injuries, such as hip fractures and other broken bones. The CDC estimates that 95% of all hip fractures are caused by falling. Over 300,000 elderly Americans are treated for hip fractures each year. 

Contact a Waukegan Personal Injury Lawyer

Slip and fall injuries can come with serious ramifications and a significant medical bill. At Salvi and Maher, L.L.C., our team of personal injury attorneys have years of experience helping those that suffer fall injuries which were caused by a property owner’s negligence. Whether you are a shopper who slipped and fell outside of an establishment or the family member of an elderly person who suffered a fall in their nursing home, we can help you pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve. To set up a free consultation with a Lake County slip and fall accident attorney, call us today at 847-662-3303.

Sources:

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

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