Winter! 'Tis the season for attending parties, going out to eat, shopping, and all of the festive activities that come with the holidays.
However, winter 'tis also the season for snow, ice, and freezing rain which increases the likelihood of a slip and fall accident which results in serious injury.
But slip and fall accidents aren't just a winter phenomena - they are an all too common year-round incident resulting in injury throughout the United States.
And yet, because of the everyday nature of such accidents, we often overlook the serious threat they pose to both our health and livelihood.
Home and business owners should be ready to identify the causes of, and take steps to prevent, slip and fall injuries.
The hidden cost of slip and fall accidents can be substantial; family members, customers, employees, in fact all Americans, pay towards this hidden cost in lost wages, productivity, and medical expenses ranging from a single visit to the doctor to a potential life-long disability.
The National Safety Council reports that nearly 8.
9 million Americans visit the emergency room every year due to a slip and fall.
The cost to the nation's health care system is estimated by the CDC to be at least $30 billion dollars a year.
In 2009, 25,000 people died as a result of injuries suffered due to a slip and fall.
Senior Citizens are disproportionally at risk.
According to the CDC one of three Americans over the age of 65 will suffer an injury due to a fall.
Of these victims, 20 to 30 percent will experience injuries which prevent them from living independently.
Seniors are not the only members of the population at serious risk from slipping or falling.
The National Floor Safety Institute reports that for teenagers and young adults, slips and falls are the leading cause of injury while at work.
While slips and falls are not the leading cause of death on the job, they are the leading cause for workers' compensation claims and lead to the most lost days from work.
Falling and slipping accidents tend to happen around the following areas: • Doorways • Ramps & unguarded heights • Cluttered Hallways/ Walking areas • Wet areas • Stairs The National Safety Council offers many common-sense solutions for cutting down the risk of a fall: • Clean spills immediately and clearly mark wet areas.
• Install hand rails on staircases.
• Keep hallways and walkways clear of cords, furniture, and other obstructions.
Slips and falls which lead to injuries cost thousands of dollars in medical treatment, lost work days, and, in some cases, a permanent decrease in the ability to enjoy life.
The worse-case scenario is a slip and fall which results in a death.
It can be worth contacting a law firm that specializes in slip and fall injuries to have them evaluate your situation.
They can advise you if you have a legitimate claim or not.
When you contact a law firm regarding your incident feel free to ask questions.
Find out how many cases like yours they've handled before and what their track record is.
Do your homework and be informed, but whatever you do, don't try and face serious injury resulting from a slip and fall on your own.
However, winter 'tis also the season for snow, ice, and freezing rain which increases the likelihood of a slip and fall accident which results in serious injury.
But slip and fall accidents aren't just a winter phenomena - they are an all too common year-round incident resulting in injury throughout the United States.
And yet, because of the everyday nature of such accidents, we often overlook the serious threat they pose to both our health and livelihood.
Home and business owners should be ready to identify the causes of, and take steps to prevent, slip and fall injuries.
The hidden cost of slip and fall accidents can be substantial; family members, customers, employees, in fact all Americans, pay towards this hidden cost in lost wages, productivity, and medical expenses ranging from a single visit to the doctor to a potential life-long disability.
The National Safety Council reports that nearly 8.
9 million Americans visit the emergency room every year due to a slip and fall.
The cost to the nation's health care system is estimated by the CDC to be at least $30 billion dollars a year.
In 2009, 25,000 people died as a result of injuries suffered due to a slip and fall.
Senior Citizens are disproportionally at risk.
According to the CDC one of three Americans over the age of 65 will suffer an injury due to a fall.
Of these victims, 20 to 30 percent will experience injuries which prevent them from living independently.
Seniors are not the only members of the population at serious risk from slipping or falling.
The National Floor Safety Institute reports that for teenagers and young adults, slips and falls are the leading cause of injury while at work.
While slips and falls are not the leading cause of death on the job, they are the leading cause for workers' compensation claims and lead to the most lost days from work.
Falling and slipping accidents tend to happen around the following areas: • Doorways • Ramps & unguarded heights • Cluttered Hallways/ Walking areas • Wet areas • Stairs The National Safety Council offers many common-sense solutions for cutting down the risk of a fall: • Clean spills immediately and clearly mark wet areas.
• Install hand rails on staircases.
• Keep hallways and walkways clear of cords, furniture, and other obstructions.
Slips and falls which lead to injuries cost thousands of dollars in medical treatment, lost work days, and, in some cases, a permanent decrease in the ability to enjoy life.
The worse-case scenario is a slip and fall which results in a death.
It can be worth contacting a law firm that specializes in slip and fall injuries to have them evaluate your situation.
They can advise you if you have a legitimate claim or not.
When you contact a law firm regarding your incident feel free to ask questions.
Find out how many cases like yours they've handled before and what their track record is.
Do your homework and be informed, but whatever you do, don't try and face serious injury resulting from a slip and fall on your own.
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