Prescott Slip and Fall Accidents and Your Elderly Loved Ones

By The Husband and Wife Law Team on June 11, 2014

If you’ve lived in the city for more than a few months, chances are you’ve experienced a Prescott slip and fall accident. It’s not because the city is more dangerous than others, it’s just the simple truth: we slip on water, slick floors, slick grass, on the stairs, on the carpet at the top of the steps, the list goes on and on. And you may think that these incidents are no big deal. For young individuals, a simple slip may cause little damage or harm, and you may not have to worry about the possibility of injuries. But for your elderly loved ones, the threat of serious injury, or even death from what you might refer to as a simple or little slip and fall accident is very real. Here are some of the most important things to remember about an elderly slip and fall accident.

• Most slip and fall accidents can be prevented if you look for and mitigate hazards before they become a serious problem. This includes repairing broken floor tiles and torn carpet in your home and your loved one’s home, and ensuring that if they live in a nursing home, repairs there are also made in a timely fashion.
• Elderly individuals are more likely to suffer injuries in a slip and fall accident because they are already more prone to injuries. As the body ages, the likelihood of an injury is substantially increased by the aging process combined with the lifelong accumulation of other injuries. Individuals suffering from arthritis or osteoporosis, or who have had surgery on their joints—hips, knees, etc.—also have a heightened risk of injury.
• Nursing homes are likely places for the elderly to be injured because there are many residents with few staff, and it can be difficult to keep up on repairs, maintenance, and cleanup. Don’t be afraid to make complaints regularly to the management to ensure the safety of your loved one.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that your loved one can only be injured in the home. Parking lots, grocery stores, department stores, hospitals, and other venues with uneven ground surface and slick floors are prime areas for slip and fall accidents that can lead to serious injuries. Give yourself and your loved one peace of mind by being present, aware, and ready to make changes.