Slip, Trip, And Fall Injuries In Maryland Pose Serious Risks To Older Adults
Slips, trips, and falls are a leading cause of accidental injuries in Maryland. They leave victims suffering devastating harm and can happen to people of all ages, but older adults are at the greatest risk. Even a seemingly minor fall could impact your health and mobility for long after it happens. Our Maryland slip-trip-fall attorneys explain how they happen and your rights to compensation.
Older Adult Slips And Falls
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that slip and fall accidents are a leading cause of death and disability in Maryland and throughout the U.S. They often result in devastating injuries and older adults are most at risk.
The CDC estimates that nearly three million people over the age of 65 visit hospital emergency rooms each year due to falls. They can happen at home or when engaging in any of the following activities:
- During hospital stays or at doctor visits;
- At local grocery or retail stores and restaurants;
- At museums, theaters, public parks, or other popular destinations;
- When visiting others in their homes.
Slip, trip, and fall accidents in Maryland often occur due to property owner negligence. Wet floors, uneven walkways, excess clutter, and dim lighting are common hazards that increase the risk. When older adult slip and fall injuries in Maryland result, the property owner can be held liable for your medical expenses and other costs.
Older adult falls can have devastating impacts. People over the age of 65 are more subject to broken bones, dislocated joints, herniated discs, and other types of harm. Age also makes them less likely to bounce back as quickly as younger people, and they may suffer ongoing health issues and limited mobility in the aftermath. In some cases, an older adult slip and fall accident in Maryland may even hasten an early death.
Under the Maryland Statutes, property owners have a legal duty to maintain the premises and to warn visitors of potential hazards. When they fail to do so, they can be held responsible either through a property insurance claim or a premises liability lawsuit. Victims and their families have the right to seek compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To protect your rights in a claim, follow these steps:
- Report any type of slip, trip, or fall to the property owner or manager immediately;
- Make sure an accident report is filed and provides details on what happened;
- Get contact information for the property owner, their insurer, and any witnesses at the scene;
- Get medical care for your injuries and follow all doctor instructions.
Request A Consultation With Our Maryland Slip-Trip-Fall Attorneys
Slip and fall accidents in Maryland can cause devastating injuries, particularly to older adults. To hold them responsible and get the compensation you are entitled to in a claim, contact Berman, Sobin, Gross LLP. Call or contact our Maryland slip-trip-fall attorneys today.
Sources:
cdc.gov/falls/about/index.html#:~:text=Falls%20among%20adults%2065%20and,injury%20death%20for%20that%20group.&text=In%202021%2C%20emergency%20departments%20recorded,visits%20for%20older%20adult%20falls.
mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcj§ion=5-109
