While anyone can get hurt after a fall, elderly folks may be more vulnerable to getting hurt after falling on an icy sidewalk or while walking around their Virginia homes. Brittle bones, a weaker immune system and other factors may explain why elderly fall victims are more likely to get hurt or die after falling.
Bone density declines as you age
As you get older, your body starts to lose the minerals that help your body protect itself against the impact of a fall. Therefore, even a minor bump on a dining room floor can result in a fractured wrist, broken hip or spinal damage. It may also increase the risk of a cracked skull or other issues that younger and healthier people can avoid in most cases. This may be especially true if you have osteoporosis.
Infections can cause problems
In addition to broken bones, open wounds can be problematic for older people who don’t have a robust immune system. If a cut, scrape or laceration is not bandaged and disinfected properly, it may result in an infection that could quickly spread. Fortunately, the cost of medication is generally included in a personal injury settlement. Therefore, a fall victim will have access to the treatment necessary to minimize the damage an infection might cause. Access to quality medical care can also reduce the risk of an infection or other secondary problems occurring in the first place.
You may be entitled to compensation if you are injured after a fall on another person’s property. This is typically true if the fall was caused by a hazardous condition on the defendant’s property. Photos, videos and medical records may all be used to prove that negligence on the defendant’s part caused your injuries.
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