New Jersey Slip & Fall Injury Attorneys
In many situations, a slip and fall results in minor injuries, such as a skinned knee or a bruised elbow. But for the unlucky, especially the very young and the elderly, falls can be catastrophic. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a New Jersey slip and fall accident, please contact one of our skilled Princeton slip and fall lawyers.
Falls are also the second most common cause of injury among children (after automobile accidents), resulting in about 100 deaths and more than 2 million hospital visits per year for kids under 15. And researchers from the University of Florida found that 17,000 Americans of all ages died from a fall in 1999, while a million were injured by a slip, trip or fall.
Older people are at special risk from falls, which is why much of the research on falls focuses on them. It takes longer to recover from a broken bone as we age, and older people are more likely to have health problems that complicate an injury. Adding to this trouble is the loss of mobility many older people have after a fall, which can make existing health problems worse and take away their independence.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 15,000 Americans died in a fall in 2005, and 433,000 more were hospitalized for a fall-related injury. Among fragile older people, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths, the leading cause of non-fatal injuries and the leading cause of trauma-related hospitalization. The CDC also states that a quarter of people over 65 who break a hip will die within a year, and another 50% won't regain the same level of mobility they had before their accidents.
In general, serious New Jersey slip and fall injuries are most likely to be broken bones. Researchers often divide falls into two categories: same-level falls and falls from an elevated area, such as stairs. Falls from the same level are more common, but only half as likely to result in serious injuries. After minor injuries like cuts and bruises, the most likely injuries from either type of fall include:
- Ligament sprains
- Fractured hip or pelvis
- Broken back or ribs
- Spinal Cord injuries
- Broken wrist, ankle, arm or leg
- Muscle strains
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Death
Serious injuries from New Jersey slips and fall accidents can create significant problems for the accident victim. In addition to being painful, a sprain, strain or broken bone can take its victim out of normal activities and into physical therapy for months or years, depending on its severity. A spinal cord injury or brain injury can result in a permanent, lifelong disability requiring physical therapy, numerous medical treatments or even lifelong nursing. Although, these things are painful and disruptive, they are also very expensive to treat. They can rob older people of their dignity and their independence, and young children of their potential. It is often difficult to return work following a serious injury from a fall.
If you have suffered serious injuries due to a New Jersey slip and fall, Lependorf & Silverstein can help. Based in Princeton, we represent clients from throughout New Jersey who were seriously injured in a fall caused by another person's carelessness. We're proud of our strong track record of success with Princeton slip-and-fall cases arising from injuries in public places, private homes or the workplace, which includes millions of dollars for seriously injured clients. Such monetary recoveries can help pay past and ongoing medical and therapy bills; make up for a lost income; and compensate you for the pain, suffering and lost quality of life that comes with a serious injury. And we work for a contingency fee, which means you pay no legal bill unless and until your case has been won.
If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt in a fall in New Jersey, contact Lependorf & Silverstein today for a free consultation.