Will your medical condition cause you to SLIP and FALL suffering injuries for which you can collect MONEY DAMAGES?
A major culprit in our susceptibility to injuries from slip and fall accidents is often not age, but medical conditions. A medical or health change can affect a person’s ability to navigate safely.
For example:
1) Physical changes. Florida spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and other physical injuries can make someone less mobile or can affect mobility in a number of ways. A broken foot, for example, usually means that someone must precariously balance on crutches. People with physical injuries are often vulnerable to injuries.
2) Neurological issues and head trauma. Brain injuries and neurological problems can lead to dizziness, disorientation, and other symptoms which can make it challenging to get around safely. Unfortunately, a slip and fall accident can cause even more brain trauma to Florida brain injury victims, making injuries even more severe.
3) Eye problems. Sudden changes in vision can make it hard to see obstacles and can lead to tripping and falling. Wearing correct eyeglasses and getting yearly eye exams is important for eye health and also in preventing accidents. Very gradual changes to the eye can be just as dangerous but are often ignored. A yearly exam can help catch and treat these problems before they lead to injury.
4) Sudden changes in ability. When someone who is fully-abled is in a car accident or sustains a serious permanent injury, it can take some time to get used to a new type of ability. During this time, accidents and problems are quite common.
If you have an elderly parent or relative, you should have an increased concern about slip and fall accidents. Slip and fall accidents are one of the leading causes of broken bones and emergency room admittances in older Florida residents. In serious cases, slip and fall accidents can lead to serious head injuries and other major injuries as well.
There are many ways that families and friends can help elderly loved ones:
1) Stay aware. Staying aware of medical conditions, such as dementia or eye problems, which can affect an elderly person’s ability to see and walk without accidental trips. That way, you can remind someone about their medications or condition and keep alert for signs of problems.
2) Help make someone’s home safer. No-slip rugs and grab bars in the bathroom are important safety measures for elderly loved ones. If there are lots of stairs in your elderly parent or relative’s home, motorized lifts or ramps can make these hazards less dangerous.
3) Consider extra help. A nurse stopping in a few times a week can help an elderly parent cope with medical changes. Hired help around the home ensures that a loved one does not fall while trying to do yard work or cleaning. Even a few hours a week of help can help prevent accidents and overwork.
4) Keep communication open with your loved one and their physician. It can be useful to visit your relative’s physician during a regular check-up. This gives you an option of finding out about any medications or conditions you should be aware of. You can also use the opportunity to ask the doctor about anything you can do to keep your relative safer.
In some cases slip and fall accidents are caused by uneven ground or slippery spills on the ground, physical condition can also have a key impact on slip and fall accidents. In fact, physical conditions and illnesses are one reason why the elderly are especially prone to these accidents.
