‘Silver Trauma’ Injuries On The Rise
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‘Silver Trauma’ Injuries On The Rise
More elderly people are suffering serious trauma accidents, after research found that our increased life expectancy is leading to a change in those most likely to suffer from a serious injury.
What The Figures Say
Until recently, the profile of a typical trauma patient found that they were male, young, and the victim of a high energy transfer injury, such as a road traffic collision or act of violence. However, new figures have found that people aged 60 and over now account for approximately 50% of all trauma cases that are admitted to hospital. The increase in the average age of a trauma patient has gone from 36.1 years in 1990 to 53.8 years in 2013. The over-75s are the fastest-growing major trauma group and this increase is disproportionately high compared to demographic changes over the same period of time. In younger patients, injury is more likely to occur outdoors, but for the elderly an accident at home is the most common scenario. The most common type of injury that occurs to the elderly is a fall from a height of less than two metres, which is classes as a low energy mechanism. The majority of these accidents are not as serious and therefore clinicians tend to expect a single-site injury, such as a fractured femur. However, this type of accident may not necessarily result in just a broken bone; the effects can also be neurological or involve some damage to the internal organs. In fact, in geriatric patients, traumatic brain injury is the most prevalent type of injury and the most common cause of death. Understandably, older people are at an increased risk of severe injuries even after relatively innocuous accidents and are also likely to present with co-existing medical conditions.
These figures will only rise as we continue to live longer as a population, and the potential risk of accidents must therefore be reduced as much as is possible, and standards of medical care kept at their optimum.
Making A Claim For A Slip, Trip or Fall
Sometimes, you may fall and injure yourself through no fault of your own. If you have suffered from a slip, trip or fall in a public place, a private place or at work, then we can help you. Some common accidents that we have helped with include:
- Tripping on uneven paving slabs
- Falling from faulty equipment or machinery, such as ladders or scaffolding
- Tripping over ill-fitting carpets
- Slipping on icy surfaces that haven’t been properly gritted
- Slipping on wet or icy surfaces without warning signs
- Tripping over mismanaged hazards such as boxes or wires
The compensation that you could receive is calculated by reviewing a number of factors, including:
- Any loss of earnings if you have had to take time off work
- Cost of care
- Damage to your property – for example if your clothing or belongings are damaged when you fall
- Emotional trauma
- Travel costs
- Cost of adaptations to your home or car
Read more on our Compensation Claims for Slips, Trips and Falls page
Our expert solicitors have routinely dealt with slips, trips, and fall claims. If you believe that you have been affected and may have a viable claim, then get in touch today for expert help and advice with moving forward.
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