If you have slipped or fallen, you know how serious an injury like that can be. Falls can be particularly devastating to older adults, as their bones are more frail. Elderly adults are more prone to hip fractures and breaks than any other group. Over 300,000 elderly adults are hospitalized due to hip fractures every single year. The majority of these accidents are caused by slips and falls. In fact, 95% of all hip fractures are caused by falls, usually by falls sideways. If you have broken or fractured your hip due to another person’s negligence, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure about next steps. Luckily, you may have legal avenues for compensation available to you. A personal injury lawsuit can help you cover the costs of a hip fracture so that you can get the care that you need to move forward with your life.
The Cost of Hip Fractures
Hip fractures are debilitating and can cause chronic pain. The impact of a hip fracture can be life-altering. Many people are entirely unable to work or even care for themselves while they recover from a broken or fractured hip. They will likely accrue lost wages and may require a care assistant in addition to rehabilitation and physical therapy. Some people who suffer hip fractures also suffer mentally and emotionally due to their new life and lack of independence, which may require cognitive therapy. People who suffer hip fractures or breaks may suffer permanent disability as a result. They may also be unable to return to their original jobs. The lifetime cost of a hip fracture is estimated to be $81,300. This cost can be completely overwhelming for someone who was not prepared for it. When the hip fracture or injury was caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness, the victim may be particularly unprepared to handle the costs, and they shouldn’t have to.
How a Lawyer Can Help
While nothing can keep the accident from happening, a personal injury lawsuit can restore you to the position you would have been in had it never occurred. In order to succeed in bringing a personal injury lawsuit, you must show that your harm was caused by someone else’s negligence. For instance, if a store owner failed to warn you about an uneven floor, and you fell and fractured your hip, you can recover all damages related to the hip fracture. You can also be compensated for pain and suffering related to the accident. If you were unable to work or cannot return to your original job as a result of your injuries, you can also seek compensation for lost wages and/or lost earning potential.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have suffered a hip fracture due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you do not have to navigate the process alone. Schedule a free initial consultation with the personal injury attorneys at the O’Donnell Law Offices serving clients in Kingston, Wilkes Barre, Hazleton and Pittston at 570-821-5717 or online today. There is no fee or costs until we win your case.
Resource:
cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html