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After the fall: injuries from a slip and fall can be life-changing - and even fatal - for the elderly. Let witnesses rely on their five senses to help you paint a picture of the event that convinces jurors to hold the negligent premises owner to account.

Article Excerpt
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, one in every three Americans older than 65 experiences a fall, making it the leading cause of injury among seniors. (1) In 1995, falls and related complications were fatal to nearly 8,000 Americans over 65, (2) and the number of deaths due to falls increased steadily from 14,900 in the year 2000 to 17,700 in 2005. (3) "Mortality rates can reach 24 percent, with higher risks for senior citizens," the International Osteoporosis Foundation reports. (4) Why?

The bones of older patients often take longer to heal. And long recoveries increase the risk of blood clots, infection, skin breakdown, atrophy, and other complications. Falls account for 87 percent of all fractures among people age 65 or older. (5)

The most common broken bones are the femur (thigh bone), pelvis (hip), vertebrae (spine), humerus (upper arm bone), and those in the forearm, hand, and lower leg.

Research in one state reveals that 60 percent of fatal falls occur in the home, 30 percent in public places, and 10 percent in health care institutions. (6) Environmental hazards that premises owners and operators can control play major contributing roles in falls. These include slippery surfaces and uneven flooring; poor lighting; obstacles such as loose rugs, steps, and animals; unstable furniture; and objects left lying on floors or steps. (7)

Hip fractures cause the greatest health problems and the most deaths. Approximately 250,000 hip fractures occur each year among people older than 65 in the United States. (8) Most patients with broken hips are hospitalized for about a week. However, one in five seniors hospitalized for hip fractures dies within a year of the injury. (9)

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

The cost of falls among older people is enormous because of the high death toll, disabling conditions, and recovery in hospitals and rehabilitation institutions. The United States spends an estimated $20.2 billion annually for the treatment of injuries to older people after falls. The majority of the cost is for hip fracture care, which averages $35,000 per patient. (10)

Seniors hospitalized for hip fractures are also at risk for decubitus ulcers, or pressure sores, which can cause permanent deterioration of the patient's condition. (11) It is a vicious cycle: Elderly patients' infirmities lead to an increase in health risks, which in turn cause their health to deteriorate further....

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