Older adults are at risk of falls as they age, because of conditions which can affect balance and strength. They’re also more vulnerable to many injuries, including broken bones, broken hips, and spinal cord trauma, and these injuries tend to be more complicated than those sustained by younger adults.
If you’re a senior who has sustained a fall and is now facing a long road to recovery, it can be worthwhile to find out if you have a legal claim. If your injury was caused by negligence, you may be able to seek financial recovery to pay for extra care so you can have the best chances of healing. To find out more, contact Flaxman Law Group for a consultation with an elder abuse and neglect claims attorney.
New Research About Older Adults and Injuries
A new study from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia is examining spinal cord injuries among older adults. According to the researchers, medical conditions in older adults and the fact that adults are living longer is contributing to serious spinal cord injuries that elderly adults struggle to overcome.
Researchers have noted that cervical spinal cord injuries are especially common, and part of the reason may be because adults are working longer and able to live independently longer, which can put them in more situations where serious falls can occur. These falls are more likely to happen on even surfaces, which is what is contributing to cervical spinal cord injuries affecting the neck. When someone slips and falls on a relatively even surface, they’re more likely to push their neck forward, overextending it and causing injury.
When this happens to an elderly person with underlying conditions, it can take them a long time to recover. The patient may become more vulnerable to losing strength and muscle mass during recovery because of this, potentially leading to further complications. If a senior has a condition like osteoporosis, there are also more likely to be multiple or complex fractures, which can further impact recovery. And seniors can become hesitant to return to normal activities after a fall, fearing further injury. This can impact their quality of life and make it harder for them to remain in good shape through exercise.
According to the researchers, one in three older North Americans sustain a fall at some point and one in seven of these falls will lead to a spinal cord injury. If you are one of the Americans affected by this kind of injury, call Flaxman Law Group at 866-352-9626 to speak to a live person who can schedule a consultation with an attorney. You deserve to know whether you have a claim and whether you could seek compensation that could help you pay for the medical care and support you need.
Flaxman Law Group is a boutique law firm with offices in South Florida and Colorado. We’re a family based law firm, so we treat you with care and respect but we also defend your rights with the same dedication and passion we’d use to defend the rights of any of our family members. If you’re injured, contact us and see why our former clients recommend us so strongly to their friends and family.