Fighting For The Rights Of Georgia’s Injured For Decades

Elderly people can suffer serious injures after a fall

by | May 8, 2019 | Firm News

We encounter hazards when walking and driving on a daily basis, and most of the time we can foresee and avoid them. However, when we are visiting a premises on which we expect to be safe, it’s likely that we won’t be as able to avoid them.

Additionally, while slips and falls may be inconsequential to a child or young person, an elderly person may suffer injuries that affect the rest of their lives. This is one of the reasons why public premises have the legal duty to be safe for visitors of all ages and abilities.

Hazards that could pose a danger to elderly people

Elderly people tend to be less steady on their feet. This means that if they lose their balance or their footing, they could fall very easily. All premises management, therefore, needs to make sure that surfaces are not slippery or uneven. Slippery or uneven surfaces that cannot be made immediately safe should be cordoned off by signs or bollards.

Staircases that are poorly lit or uneven also pose a danger to elderly people. Steps in a staircase should always be of an even height, and easy to climb for those of all abilities. Lighting should be bright enough for those who have poor sight, and if this is not possible, luminous strips on the steps should be present so that people can easily navigate their way.

Common injuries that elderly people suffer as a result of slip-and-fall injuries

A fall that would be considered a minor one for a younger person could lead to a long hospital stay for an elderly person. One of the reasons for this is that older people may have weaker bones that break more easily. Hip fractures can be very serious for an older person, and the procedure required to fix or replace the hip can have the potential to be life-threatening.

Holding the premises owner responsible

The premises owner can be made to cover financial damages for the medical bills and the pain and suffering caused if they were found to be at fault. If you want to protect an injured loved one after a slip or fall, it is important to understand how Georgia laws can protect you.