A slip and fall can injure anyone, but some age groups face far greater risk of death when a fall occurs. According to recent statistics, older adults are disproportionately affected.

Why Age Matters in Fatal Falls

• The National Safety Council reports that in public places, nearly 78 percent of fatal slip and falls involve people aged 75 or older. That is a steady increase in recent years.
• Adults between ages 45 and 74 account for about 21 percent of those fatalities. People aged 25 to 44 make up around 2.7 percent.
• Going from age 25 to 44 to age 75 or older increases the risk of dying in a slip and fall by nearly 2700 percent in public settings.

Common Hazards That Cause These Fatal Falls

Some of the frequent scenarios that lead to deadly slip and falls include:

• Wet or uneven floors
• Loose carpeting or flooring materials you can trip over
• Rigid surfaces that cause trips
• Cracked or broken walkways or stairs
• Missing handrails or guardrails

Even when people try to be careful, these hazards combined with diminished strength, slower reflexes, or health issues common in older age can lead to serious consequences.

What Happens When a Fatal Fall Occurs

A slip and fall that leads to someone’s death may give rise to a wrongful death claim. In California, wrongful death claims may be filed by the deceased person’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, or children when certain legal conditions are met.

If negligence contributed, for example if a business failed to maintain safe floors or warn about hazards, the surviving family may be able to recover:

• Medical and funeral expenses
• Loss of expected income
• Loss of care and financial support

Other Injuries That May Arise

Not all slip and fall incidents result in death, but many cause serious harm, especially among older adults. Injuries often include:

• Broken bones
• Head injuries
• Cuts and lacerations
• Neck injuries
• Back damage
• Paralysis or disfigurement

How Hillstone Law Helps

If you or a loved one has been involved in a slip and fall, especially where age or negligence may have made things worse, Hillstone Law can assist by:

• Investigating the accident to determine who was responsible
• Gathering evidence such as photos of conditions, maintenance logs, and witness statements
• Establishing how age, health status, or unsafe conditions contributed to the harm
• Filing claims such as wrongful death or personal injury where appropriate
• Helping you seek full compensation for medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and non economic losses