Connecticut Slip & Fall Dangers For Seniors

Slips and falls can endanger everyone, they are particularly dangerous for seniors. It is so dangerous that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) predicts that if falls continue at this pace, then by the year 2030, seven people will die each hour from a fall-related injury. Falls for seniors are serious: 

• 20% of falls result in a serious injury like broken bones or head injuries;
• More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling;
• Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury in this age group.

There are, however, some risk factors that put seniors in a situation where falls are more likely to happen: 

• Medications: Older adults tend to experience more physical health conditions and mental impairments and drugs prescribed, such as sedatives, antidepressants and antipsychotics, often have side effects like dizziness and drowsiness. Medication interactions can also lead to similar symptoms and anticoagulants increase a patient’s risk for bleeding excessively after a fall.
• Surgeries: Older adults are also more likely to need hip replacement surgery. After surgery, especially when the implant doesn’t heal correctly, an individual may be weak, in pain, or have significantly decreased mobility.
• Physical Conditions: Older adults are more likely to suffer from Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and arthritis, all conditions involving a combination of physical weakness in the extremities, poor grip and balance and cognitive impairments. Additionally, various ear and eye disorders can manifest through a combination of dizziness, joint pain, shortness of breath or numbness in your feet and legs, further increasing the potential for a fall-related injury.

If you have a loved one who suffered a slip and fall injury that left them permanently injured, or even caused their death, and you question whether the level of care they received from their healthcare provider followed the standard of care, contact our firm. Our team is comprised of a doctor/attorney, Robert Messey, and a nurse/attorney, Gayle Sullivan, who will begin an immediate legal and medical investigation into your case.