Pennsylvania Slip and Fall Statistics Today & Yesterday
Slip and fall accidents rank among Pennsylvania’s top causes of preventable injuries. If you sustained injuries in a fall due to the negligence of others, you may be entitled to compensation.
Examining slip and fall statistics can be helpful when considering your legal options.
However, working with an experienced personal injury lawyer is the most effective way to recover the compensation you deserve.
Our firm has been fighting for the rights of slip and fall accident victims for years. We can help. Contact an experienced Pennsylvania slip and fall lawyer at Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers to get started.
Slip and Fall Accident Statistics
One of the most common types of incidents that cause injuries is slips and falls. In particular, falls are among the top causes of accidental deaths in Pennsylvania. But Pennsylvania is not unique.
The World Health Organization reports that falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide, just behind motor vehicle accidents. Except for 2019, falls have been the third leading cause of preventable injury-related death for over 20 years.
Also, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries in the United States. In Pennsylvania, falls are among the top causes of accidental deaths.
Hospital Visits Due to Fall-Related Injuries
Nonfatal emergency department visits in the United States are dominated by fall-related injuries, accounting for 33% of all preventable nonfatal injuries. When comparing the causes of nonfatal injuries that lead to emergency department visits, at over eight million per year, the percentage of visits attributed to falls is far greater than any other preventable nonfatal injury. Slips and falls account for over 1 million hospital visits every year—or over 12% of total falls.
Falls in Older Adults
The CDC reports that one in four adults over 65 will suffer a fall. And more than 3 million senior citizens are treated for falls in emergency rooms across the United States annually. Medical costs for these falls amount to an estimated $50 billion. Around 20% of falls by elderly adults cause a serious injury such as a fracture or a head injury. In Pennsylvania alone, more than half a million adults over 65 years fell. While not all falls result in injury, many do.
Slip and Fall Injuries
According to the CDC, every year in the United States:
- Around 800,000 patients need hospitalization to manage fall-related injuries,
- 300,000 require treatment for hip fractures,
- Slips and falls cause 95% of hip fractures, and
- Falls are the top cause of traumatic brain injuries among all age groups.
As you can see, falls are a major public health issue in the United States.
Slipping on Ice: Injuries and Statistics
Slip and fall injuries can happen any time of the year. But every season carries its own risk. Winter is full of its own set of unique safety risks, as falling on ice and snow is one of the most common and dangerous causes of seasonal injuries. And according to the Snow and Ice Management Association, snow-related slip and fall accidents cost between $33,000 and $48,000 on average.
According to the CDC, approximately one million people are injured yearly due to falling on ice and snow. How many people die from tripping, slipping, or falling on ice? According to the CDC, about 17,000 annually.
Slip and Fall Injuries Are Costly
Slips and falls do not constitute a primary cause of fatal occupational injuries, but they do represent the primary cause of lost days from work. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 18% of the over one million nonfatal work injuries resulting in days away from work were related to slips, trips, and falls.
Measured as dollars spent and income not received due to injuries and fatalities, the costs of unintentional injuries run in the billions of dollars each year, according to some estimates.
When Can You Sue for a Slip and Fall?
Whether you are at the grocery store, in a parking lot, or visiting a friend’s apartment complex, Pennsylvania property owners and businesses must maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition for their guests and customers. In other words, by inviting others onto their property, they accept the responsibility of ensuring their property is safe for guests.
As the statistics show, many people slip and fall each year. But not every slip and fall is a basis for a successful personal injury lawsuit. The claim must meet the legal standard under Pennsylvania law.
Slip and Fall Injury Claim
Most slip and fall accidents are due to negligence—or a property owner’s failure to take the proper and reasonable steps or care to prevent danger. This area of law is called premises liability, and slips and falls are among the most common causes of premises liability claims.
If you want to file an injury claim, you must do so quickly. There is a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Pennsylvania. If you fail to file within the deadline, your claim will likely be thrown out.
Comparative Negligence
Sometimes, you might share fault for the accident. Pennsylvania is a modified comparative fault statute. This means you can only win if you prove the property owner’s negligence was higher than yours. You must be no more than 50% responsible for the accident to recover damages.
Contact an Experienced Pennsylvania Slip and Fall Lawyer
If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a slip and fall, you need an experienced attorney to pursue a slip and fall lawsuit. Insurance companies routinely fight slip and fall claims tooth and nail. Therefore, you need competent legal counsel to fight back.
The Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers legal team will work tirelessly to get you the maximum compensation possible. We know that you need the money quickly, and we will work to resolve the matter expeditiously. We have decades of experience representing the communities of Philadelphia and beyond.
And you pay nothing unless you get paid. Call or contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
