September is Falls Prevention Awareness Month

The focus of Falls Prevention Awareness Month is to raise awareness of the need to prevent falls among older adults. A fall is the leading cause of injury deaths and injuries such as fractures, broken hips and concussions, many of which require hospitalization. However, the importance of taking steps to prevent falls cannot be overstressed for everyone, both to avoid injury and to avoid lawsuits.

Falls prevention at home

Take some time this month and survey your home and property looking for “accidents waiting to happen.” Electrical cords, loose floorboards, throw rugs, wobbly railings and cracked pavement can all lead to potential trips and falls. If someone visiting or working on your property is injured due to your negligence, you can be sued for personal injury.Protect the ones you love and do your best to eliminate tripping hazards, especially if you live with an older person or someone prone to falls.

• Add assistive aids, such as handrails and non-slip mats in bathrooms and other high-risk areas.
• Make sure traffic areas are free of debris. Eliminate low-to-the-ground items that may cause a tumble.
• Ensure electrical cords are secure and out of the way.

Falls prevention at work

Just as you should at home, assess your work environment for potential hazards. Of course, you want to keep your customers and employees safe, but you will also help protect your business from a lawsuit.

• Again, keep traffic areas free of debris. Ensure shipments and merchandise are stored properly where they won’t pose a tripping hazard.
• Make ongoing property maintenance part of doing business. This includes removing snow and ice in the winters, providing non-slip mats in areas with wet floors and immediately addressing spills.
• If an area is under construction, being cleaned or otherwise presents a hazard that cannot be immediately rectified, make sure warnings are clearly visible.

If you suffer a fall

Seek care immediately if you suffer a fall and are injured. If the fall was due to someone else’s negligence, either in a home or business, you may be due compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering. In some cases, this may be covered by the home or business owners’ insurance, but you may also be able to file a personal injury lawsuit. If so, you’ll want to hire an attorney experienced in these matters who understands their intricacies.Some injuries are accidents that are no one’s fault. But if you think you have a valid legal claim, contact us to learn more. We’ll talk with you to determine if you have a case, and work with you to file the suit and recover the compensation you deserve.