Slip-and-Fall Accidents Spike During the Winter Months

Winter comes with its share of serious injuries. Traffic accidents, hypothermia, frostbite and slip-and-fall accidents are some of the common incidents that have the potential to cause severe injuries during the winter months in New York. According to a WABC news report, Nyack Hospital has already seen a surge in patients suffering from winter-related injuries especially slip-and-fall injuries. They are apparently busy molding casts for patients with sprains and broken bones.

Winter-Related Fall Injuries
Doctors say the most common injuries they see as a result of slip-and-fall accidents are broken ankles and wrists. This could occur when people slip and twist their ankles or reach out to support themselves during a fall and end up injuring their wrists. Emergency rooms get busier when a storm subsides because people typically stay indoors on the day of the storm and then go out the next day when roads and sidewalks are still treacherous.
Doctors say people over 65 years of age are particularly at risk for winter-related falls. Doctors advise that it would be in the best interest of those who suffer fall-related injuries to seek medical attention right away. For example, if you think you have broken something during a fall, it is a good idea to not ignore it and get an x-ray confirmation of the extent of the injury.
Useful Tips to Prevent Falls in Winter weather
When you venture out onto slippery streets and sidewalks, here are a few important tips to remember:
• Wear proper footwear with good traction.
• Take smaller steps while walking. Walk slowly, and never run on icy ground.
• Keep both hands free for balance rather than in your pockets. Use handrails when they are available.
• Test potentially icy spots. Step carefully and don’t jump onto the street.
• Avoid carrying large bags or loads that could limit your visibility.
Compensation for Injured Victims
If you or a loved one suffered injuries because of a slip-and-fall accident, the experienced New York personal injury lawyers with 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.
Please call our offices TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496) to discuss your slip-and-fall case or trip-and-fall injury or accident case. 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: ABC News