As Age Rises, Falls Become More Common - And More Serious
If you didn’t catch the unsettling piece in the New York Times, “Bracing for the Falls,” about how older Americans are suffering more and more serious and fatal falls, we highly recommend checking it out. Not only is it a sensitive and moving account of how our aging population negotiates the difficulties of old age, but it should also be a wake-up call especially to care facilities and nursing homes whose residents are primarily the elderly and infirm.
According to the article, the rate of severe falls among Americans over 65 years-old has been climbing sharply in recent years. Even more alarming, researchers say bad falls can be linked to the increasing prevalence and treatment of conditions such as diabetes, stroke, Parkinson’s, and heart disease, since in many cases the medications prescribed to treat these diseases actually increase the risk of falling. We don’t see a warning for “increased risk of falling” as a side-effect on any prescription bottles yet, but maybe there should be one…
When a Fall Is an Accident
Every fall taken by an elderly person is serious. Some falls are accidental--but others are accidents resulting from negligence. As personal injury lawyers experienced in both elder care law and slip and fall litigation, we represent victims of falls caused by the carelessness or negligence of another party.
If you or anyone you know has been injured in a serious fall, please call us immediately for a free consultation toll-free at 1-855-462-3330 or contact us via email by clicking here.