Spinal Injuries in the Elderly
Researchers at John Hopkins analyzed information of adults who were treated for spinal cord injuries between 2007 and 2009. They found that while the number of patients between 18 to 64 dropped from 52.3 per million in 2007 to 49.9 per million in 2009, the incidence in those 65 and older actually increased from 79.4 per million in 2007 to 87.7 in 2009. Over 41 percent of all reported spinal cord injuries were caused by falls while 35.5 percent resulted from motor vehicle crashes. Also, the average age of adults with traumatic spinal cord injuries increased from 41 in 2005 to 51 in 2009.
How Seniors Can Prevent Falls
There are a number of ways in which senior citizens can reduce the risk of a fall-related spinal cord injury:
• Exercise regularly. As we age, exercises that improve strength, balance and flexibility become important.
• Review your prescriptions with your doctor. Some drugs can cause dizziness or drowsiness, which increases the risk of falls.
• Check your vision. Annual eye exams will help determine if you need new eyeglasses. Maximizing your vision will help prevent falls.
• Reduce tripping hazards. Many falls occur at home. Remove items and debris from hallways, walkways, stairs and sidewalks.
• Add safety improvements. Consider adding grab bars near stairs, tubs, showers and toilets. Make sure there are railings on both sides of stairways and increase the amount of lighting in the home.
Compensation for Injured Victims
If you or a loved one suffered spinal cord injuries, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Our law firm recovered $1,700,000 for a woman who slipped and fell and received no hospital or medical treatment for one month after the accident, and we recovered $2,100,000 for an 80-year-old woman with a spinal cord injury and $5,600,000 for a man with a spinal cord injury.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: Claims Journal