6 Facts About Slip And Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are incredibly common, and as a matter of fact, they’re some of the most common causes of injury all throughout the United States. A nice day out can result in a hospital stay in just seconds when a slip and fall is involved, and there are plenty of facts surrounding slip and fall accidents that many don’t know. 6 little known facts about slip and fall accidents include: • More than 1,000,000 people per year are hospitalized due to slip and falls – In emergency rooms all throughout the country, Florida included, more than 1,000,000 people file through each year due to injuries they’ve suffered in a slip and fall. Per day, this number rounds out to be about 2,000 accidents. • Slip and fall cases can be costly – While many slip and fall accidents result in just bumps and bruises, some are far more serious. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, a hospital stay due to a slip and fall accident averages at about $30,000, and if the slip and fall involves ice or snow, this number can rise to around $48,000. While Florida doesn’t face many snow-related slip and fall accidents, wet roadways and walkways after a summer thunderstorm can be equally dangerous. • 20 to 30% chance of severe injury – Slip and fall accidents result in serious injuries in 20 to 30% of cases, and these serious injuries are broken bones in 5% of cases. These severe injuries can lead to the need for surgery, prolonged recovery times, lost work, and mounting medical costs for those already suffering. • All age accidents – Something of a spotlight is often shown on older Americans who are involved in slip and fall accidents, as they are most common within this age group. 1/3 of those aged 65 years or older are involved in a slip and fall each year, but these accidents certainly don’t discriminate. For those aged 10 through 24, slip and fall accidents are the second most common cause of injury, and the single most common for all other age groups. • Single most common cause of TBI – Traumatic brain injuries are just that – traumatic. They’re complex, varied, and may be permanently devastating. Slip and fall accidents are the single leading cause of traumatic brain injuries in the United States, including those with lifelong symptoms or repercussions. • Slip and fall accidents cause a person to lose an average of 11 work days – A slip and fall accident can be costly in just medical bills, but many don’t also factor in just how much work is lost as well. In many positions across Florida, missed work means missed wages, and these need to be factored into damages as well. On average, a slip and fall accident can cause a person to miss a total of 11 days of work.
