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Slip and fall accidents: Tragic trends

On Behalf of | Feb 13, 2023 | Personal Injury

The National Floor Safety Institute gathers contemporary and accurate data on what they refer to as “same level, slip-and-fall occurrences” from various sources that range from private industry statistics to insurance company loss information.

Gender does not play a role in deaths due to falls, as men and women equally divide the fatalities. However, females are more likely to suffer a fall without experiencing life-ending injuries. The Bureau of Labor reported that five percent of job-related fatalities for women in the workplace, while men account for 11 percent of deaths while working.

Additional statistics include:

  • Emergency rooms see more than eight million patients who fall. Statistically, it is the leading cause of visits at over one million, slightly exceeding 21 percent. Slip and falls make up 12 percent
  • Fractures represent the most serious outcomes from falls at five percent
  • While slip-and-falls are not considered a primary factor in fatalities on the job, those accidents account for the most days lost from work
  • When it comes to workers’ compensation claims, slip-and-falls lead all other injuries, particularly when it comes to occupational injuries for employees who are 55 and older
  • Floors and flooring materials play a significant role in falls, accounting for two million injuries annually based on data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
  • Falls at home account for 50 percent of accidental deaths, with most occurring on the ground level of a residence

The elderly most at risk

Hip fractures are at the top in the category of health problems and the number of deaths due to falls. Statistics are revealing crisis-level concerns. Domestically, one in three people over 65 years old will suffer a fall, with half of those falling more than once:

  • Those 65 to 84 years old account for the second leading cause of fatal injuries in a fall
  • The top cause of death for 85 years old and more seniors is falls
  • Data from the CDC reveals that 15,000 people over 65 lost their lives in a fall in 2005, an alarming increase from the previous decade of 7,700
  • Additional findings show 1.8 million over 65 received treatments in ERs following a fall

Tragically, the number of falls increases with every decade of life, with the 75 and older demographic accounting for 60 percent. Most do not return home or enjoy any level of independence post-fall. Forty percent will lead to permanent nursing home admissions.