Protecting Older Adults From Personal Injuries In Aiken
If you’re an older adult or caring for an older family member, you know the unique challenges that often go along with aging. Among these include an increased risk of accidents resulting in serious personal injuries. The month of May is designated as Older Americans Month, which calls attention to protecting older adults from personal injuries. If injuries do occur, reach out to our Aiken personal injury attorney to seek recourse.
Common Causes Of Personal Injuries Among Older Adults
Older Americans Month calls attention to the valuable contributions older adults make to our society and the need to protect them against hazards associated with aging. In addition to maintaining their independence and managing chronic health conditions, preventing accidents that can result in serious personal injuries is a top priority.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are one of the biggest risks older adults face. On average, someone over the age of 65 falls once per minute in the United States. Even a seemingly minor mishap could result in broken bones and potentially debilitating back, neck, or head injuries.
While it’s important to take precautions to prevent falls at home, they are just as likely to occur in public areas. Grocery stores, restaurants, retail establishments, and doctor’s offices are among the most common places.
Common causes of falls include:
● Wet, slippery floors
● Cluttered aisle and hallways
● Torn carpeting or loose flooring tiles
● Uneven walkways
● Lack of proper lighting
● Lack of handrails on stairs
Unfortunately, falls are not the only risk older adults face. Serious personal injuries are also common due to car and pedestrian accidents. These often happen due to the reckless actions of other motorists, such as speeding, running red lights, disregarding crosswalks, and driving while distracted or impaired.
What To Do When Older Adults Suffer Personal Injuries
Older adults are generally more likely to be involved in accidents than other age groups. Plus, due to the effects of aging, the personal injuries they suffer as a result tend to be more severe. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) warns that accidental injuries are a leading cause of death among older adults. Even in less severe cases, personal injuries can dramatically reduce the overall quality of life and hasten the need for nursing home care.
To protect yourself or an older adult loved one, take the following steps when any type of accident occurs:
● Notify the police, on-site security, or the property owner immediately
● Make sure an accident report is filed
● Get the names of all those involved, including any witnesses
● Seek medical care as soon as possible, regardless of symptoms.
Contact Our Aiken Personal Injury Attorney
Protecting older adults from personal injuries is crucial for maintaining their quality of life. At the Surasky Law Firm, we help older adults get the compensation they need to cover medical expenses and other losses when personal injuries do happen. To get the caring service and professional legal representation you need, contact our Aiken personal injury attorney and request a consultation today.
