Anyone can slip and fall. Yet, the dangers are more severe for California’s elderly residents. One in four elderly Americans suffers a fall each year, according to the National Council on Aging. Falls are the leading cause of trauma admissions for seniors. Most falls cause minor injuries like contusions, abrasions, and lacerations – but even these small wounds can become big problems in seniors with delayed healing.
In California, 20 to 30 percent of senior falls result in moderate to severe injuries — like head trauma, broken bones, a fractured hip, or damaged joints — that can cause limited mobility, loss of independence, social isolation, depression, and even premature death.
When a person over the age of 65 slips and falls in California, it is worth speaking with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney at Salamati Law to find out if a liability issue could result in financial compensation.
Sometimes an elderly slip and fall is just an accident. For instance, if a person falls at the home he or she owns, there is typically no one else to blame. However, in a number of circumstances, another person or entity can be held responsible for contributing to the cause of the fall. Situations include:
While one may not be keen on filing a lawsuit against a friend or neighbor, it is typically the homeowner’s insurance policy that pays out the compensation. A Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will investigate the claim to see if a liability issue exists.
When successful, lawsuits following an elderly fall can result in money for:
An experienced attorney will not let you settle for less than your case is worth.
California property owners owe a duty of care to reduce the fall risk for any person visiting the premises, whether an elder or not. Adequate lighting, non-slip stairs, handrails, mopped-up spills, salted walkways, and well-maintained properties in good repair are all steps a reasonable property owner might take to alleviate the risk of a senior slip and fall injury occurring on the grounds.
Salamati Law can provide you with a compassionate Los Angeles slip and fall lawyer with experience in premises liability claims. We’ll conduct a full investigation to determine what happened in the moments before the fall. If negligence or recklessness is a factor, the insurance settlement or jury award can help cover the cost of medical care and long-term rehabilitation, while providing some measure of pain and suffering compensation to account for the loss in quality of life.
Our successful firm works on a contingency basis, meaning that victims pay nothing upfront to pursue their cases and only pay the standard legal fee upon the successful resolution of their case. Call now to schedule a free consultation.