Falls Take a Toll on the Elderly

People slip and fall; the elderly tend to slip and fall more often than younger people. Brain injuries from falls are increasing at alarming rates, especially among those age 75 and older. The full scope of reasons is unclear, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigators have isolated a few causes.

Seniors Downplay Their Injuries After a Fall

When the CDC began to investigate the cause of sharp increases in traumatic brain injuries, they anticipated the reasons to be sports injuries among young athletes. The evidence, however, demonstrated this was not the case. Instead, they noted that although a 39 percent increase in brain injuries occurred overall between 2007 and 2013, persons over the age of 75 accounted for a 76 percent increase.

Looking deeper at the data, health officials from the CDC began to investigate and found that seniors tend to suffer multiple injuries in their homes. They believe part of the reason for the increased brain injuries stems from the desire for independence among aging persons.

The population is aging as the baby boomer generation continues to retire in larger numbers each year. Many individuals choose to remain at home if possible. Investigators believe that it is their desire for independence which is in part the reason for serious injuries.

As people age, the tendency to slip and fall increases. Seniors may fall and suffer what appear to be minor injuries. Even if the injury is minor, their body is weakened and another fall is likely. Each time a senior citizen takes a fall, the injury tends to be worse.

Because the initial falls are relatively minor, seniors wanting to regain their independence tend to brush off the fall as of little concern. They may tell family, friends, and even their doctors they are fine, and that there is nothing to worry about. As the evidence suggests, this is not the case.

The first fall is like the first domino in a chain. It is only a matter of time before more dominos fall, and with each fall, the situation is worsened. Investigators even found that physicians tend to overlook such minor falls. Yet one study found that over a third of seniors who suffer minor head injuries after falling return to the emergency room within three months.

The same study also found that healthy athletes who suffer similar injuries received a more comprehensive evaluation by emergency workers than seniors. This raises issues of liability and responsibility which cannot be ignored.

Camden Slip and Fall Lawyers at DiTomaso Law Help Seniors With Traumatic Brain Injuries

If you or someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury resulting from multiple falls, you may be able to seek compensation. Although a slip and fall may occur in the home, emergency personnel have a responsibility to provide proper and adequate treatment and advice regarding the accident. If your loved one has sought help for the first or subsequent falls and has not been properly assessed and treated, they may be eligible for compensation.

The Camden slip and fall lawyers at DiTomaso Law will evaluate your case at no initial cost to you. Contact us online or call now. For clients in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, including Mt. Holly, Camden County, or South Jersey, call 856-414-0010; from Philadelphia, including Center City and Southeastern Pennsylvania, call 215-426-4493.