As the population of senior citizens continues dramatically increasing in numbers, a Slip And Fall Accident Attorney in Bellingham WA is more likely to receive calls from people who need legal representation. For various reasons, this age group is more prone to falling and suffering serious injuries such as bone fractures and concussions. They also may take longer to heal than younger adults do.
Premises Liability
Often, there is no legal case because the individual slipped and fell at home. That’s where the majority of these accidents occur. However, if the incident happened on someone else’s property due to any level of negligence, there may be a case under the legal concept of premises liability. The owners of a property are responsible for keeping the area safe for visitors, residents and employees. This is legally known as the duty of care.
Illnesses That Increase the Risk
The assistance of a Slip And Fall Accident Attorney in Bellingham WA is imperative when the property owner’s insurer disputes a claim because the injured person has a health disorder that increases the risk of falling. Many illnesses and other problems increase this risk.
Examples include Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. People with nerve damage in the feet due to poor circulation may be somewhat unsteady while walking. Some seniors have balance disorders related to hearing loss. An elderly person who has had a hip replacement may never fully recover, continuing to experience pain and weakness that impairs mobility.
The Issue of Medications
In addition, senior citizens are more likely to take combinations of medication every day that can increase their risk of dizziness, coordination problems and difficulties with balance. An insurer may insist that the accident would never have happened to a younger, healthier individual. The insurance company also may insist that a younger, healthier adult would not have experienced such a serious injury.
In these types of cases, the insurer may offer a settlement the adjusters believe would be reasonable for those incidents and not the episode that actually occurred. The person who was seriously hurt because of a wet floor or icy sidewalk will want to contact an organization such as Allen Law Firm.
