Fall-Down Injuries Can Be Deadly
Written by Jay M. Kelley III in Accident & Injury on October 18, 2013
Falls are the third-leading cause of unintentional death in the United States, following car accidents and accidental poisoning. Falls account for approximately 8.9 million visits to the emergency room each year and resulted in more than 26,000 fatalities in 2010. The risk of falling, and fall-related problems, increases with age and is a serious issue everywhere. We encourage you to take the time to remove slip, trip and fall hazards to keep your family safe.
Common locations for falls:
- Doorways
- Ramps
- Cluttered hallways
- Areas with heavy traffic
- Uneven surfaces
- Areas prone to wetness or spills
- Unguarded heights
- Unstable work surfaces
- Ladders
- Stairs
Fall prevention tips:
- Secure electrical and phone cords out of traffic areas
- Remove small throw rugs or use non-skid mats to keep them from slipping
- Remove tripping hazards (paper, boxes, toys, clothes, shoes) from stairs and walkways
- Periodically check the condition of walkways and steps, and repair damages immediately
- Never stand on a chair, table or other surface on wheels
- Clean up all spills immediately
Business owners have an enhanced duty of care to provide a save environment to their customers, or invitees. The owner of a business has a duty to protect its invitees, not only against dangers the owner knows about, but also against those that could discovered with reasonable care. Customers and other invitees enter the premises assuming the business owner has taken steps to ensure their safety. If a store owner’s actions (or inaction) breach this duty of care, they may be liable for any resulting injuries.
Jay M. Kelly III - Managing Partner
Meet Jay M. Kelley III, a top medical malpractice attorney in Ohio with over 25 years of experience and $200 million in verdicts and settlements. He leads Elk + Elk’s litigation strategy in state and federal courts and has a unique background as a former felony prosecutor and hospital defense lawyer. Jay specializes in complex cases, including birth injuries and wrongful death, and is recognized by Best Lawyers and ranked among the Super Lawyers Top 10 in Ohio.
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