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Study Finds Slips and Falls Surprising Common, Even among Healthy, Young Adults
When people think of slips and falls, they generally imagine slick surfaces, like ice and snow, dangerous terrain, or risky behavior, such as carrying an oversized box down a narrow flight of stairs. Yet, according to the National Safety Council, slips and falls remain the leading cause of injury-related deaths among those aged 65 or older. But slips and trips are not just for the elderly; they also account for about five percent of all workplace injuries and around 15 percent of all accidental deaths. Moreover, a recent study found that, even among healthy, young adults, falls are surprisingly common.
Study on College Students Shows Falls, Trips Happen at Any Age
Conducted by researchers from Purdue University, a recent study on 94 college undergraduates shows that humans – regardless of their age – struggle to stay upright. With an average age of 19, these students were asked to answer a daily email over the course of 16 weeks. In it, they were asked if they had experienced a slip, trip, or fall in the last 24 hours. More than half (52 percent) reported 1,495 trips or slips by the end of the study, and 46 percent reported 82 full-blown falls.
Surprisingly, alcohol-induced dizziness, risky behavior, and just outright poor judgement did not alter the statistics much. In fact, 58 percent of those who reported a slip, trip, or fall said they were simply walking when the incident occurred. Winter weather, namely sidewalks that were slick with snow or ice, accounted for some of the incidents as well, but even after adjusting for this factor, slip and fall rates remained at 30 percent.
Protecting Yourself and Your Loved Ones from Slips, Trips, and Falls
Because they are so prevalent, and because they carry a high risk of injury – particularly among the elderly and young people – prevention of slips and falls is critical. Uneven surfaces and changes in surface are common causes, as are objects like power cords and rugs. Slick surfaces are also a common factor. To avoid these risks, avoid multi-tasking, avoid risky behavior, keep walking areas free of debris and tripping hazards, and watch carefully for slick, wet, or uneven surfaces.
When Slips, Trips, or Falls Happen
Even with the best preventative measures, slips, trips, and falls will happen. If they happen because of third-party negligence, you or your loved one may be due compensation. With more than 40 years of experience, the skilled and experienced Milwaukee personal injury attorneys at Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP can help. To find out how, call our offices at 414-271-1440 and schedule your consultation today.
Sources:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3487458/Do-struggle-stay-two-feet-Study-finds-humans-surprisingly-bad-WALKING-trip-slip-over.html
http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/safety-at-home-falls.aspx
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/walkingworkingsurfaces/
https://nfsi.org/nfsi-research/quick-facts/
