How Can Illinois Slip and Fall Statistics Prevent Injury?

Understand Fall Accident Statistics with Our Personal Injury Lawyers

Illinois slip and fall statistics demonstrate the serious risk of injury and death from slipping and falling, especially for older people. Our Chicago slip and fall attorneys can help you pursue legal action against negligent property owners by exploring your legal options.

How Common Are Slip and Fall Accidents?

• Slips and falls are the leading cause of emergency room visits, with over eight million people visiting hospitals nationwide.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that three million elderly individuals visit the ER after a fall.
• 20 to 30% of people over 65 will sustain injuries after a fall.
• 14 million people over 65 fall every year.
• Falls accounted for 46,653 deaths at home or work in 2022.

The Most Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Common causes of slip and fall accidents include the following:

• Slippery floors: Slippery flooring materials account for as many as two million fall accidents each year.
• Medical conditions: Lower body weakness, poor balance, or vitamin deficiencies can increase a person’s fall risk.
• Inclement weather: Icy pathways are a leading cause of hospital visits. This is especially common in Illinois due to the high snowfall.
• Negligence: Polished floors, greasy substances, and clutter on the floor can lead to fall accidents.

Risk Factors of Slip and Fall Accidents

The Illinois Department of Public Health notes that both personal and environmental factors can contribute to an increased risk of falls. These include the following.

Age

Nearly 30% of people over 65 will suffer a severe fall. 67% of all fatal injuries occurred in individuals 75 years old or older. Approximately 19.9% of Illinois’ elder adults reported a fall.

After an accident, a person may restrict their activities to prevent another accident, which can lead to further health complications.

Disability

Disabled adults aged 45-69 were more likely to suffer fall injuries than non-disabled people in older age groups. Conditions such as poor balance, low vision, or foot conditions increase a person’s risk of severe fall accidents. Currently, 11.9% of the state’s population has at least one disability, making them vulnerable to fall-related injuries.

Of the state’s adult disabled population, around 27.7% live alone. This may make it more difficult for these individuals to get help if they are injured while at home, increasing the risk of delayed treatment or death.

Location

Older adults living in a one-story home were more likely to suffer injuries due to a fall. 25% of slip and fall accidents at home occur in the bedroom, while 22.9% occur on or near stairs.

Being in a nursing home facility also increases a person’s risk. Approximately 60% of all nursing home residents fall every year. Those who are injured in a nursing home can pursue a nursing home negligence case, as fall prevention is a crucial element of nursing care.

Careers

Workplace accidents represent a significant portion of fall accident statistics. Fall-related injuries were a leading reason for workers’ compensation claims in the construction industry.

In 2022, falls to lower levels had an incidence rate of 4.6 per 10,000 workers across all private industries. In the construction industry, the incident rate was 13.9 per 10,000 workers.

Slip and Fall Injury Statistics

Slip and fall accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, with some of the most common including the following:

• Bone fractures: Broken bones are a common injury from a slip and fall.
• Hip fractures: Hip fractures are the leading cause of hospitalization following a slip and fall accident.
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI): A slip and fall is the most common cause of traumatic brain injury. Slips and falls could also lead to other head trauma.
• Foot injuries: Foot injuries are also common in slip-and-fall incidents.

Slip and Fall Fatalities

A slip and fall accident can lead to severe injuries that sometimes lead to a loss of life. Many accidental deaths that occur in the home are from a slip and fall accident. Adults over the age of 60 years are more likely to suffer serious injury or death following falls.

In Illinois, the average number of fatal injuries related to slips and falls is 1,200 per year.

Slip and Fall Accidents in the Workplace

Men are more likely than women to experience a work-related slip and fall accident, with a rate of 11% for men compared to 5% for women. However, the rates of fall injuries leading to a loss of life are equal among men and women. 

The occurrence of fatal occupational injuries involving a slip and fall accident has stayed consistent over the past few years, with an average of 1,000 per year in the construction industry.

The Cost of Fall Injuries

The injuries sustained from a slip and fall accident can be costly. Experts estimate the cost of slip and fall accidents for older adults will reach $101 billion by 2030. Each year, around $80 billion is spent on medical care related to fall-related injuries in the United States.

Illinois expects to spend around $51.19 million annually on fall cases for all ages and around $47.15 million for those 60 years or older.

Most people will require medical care following a slip and fall. Additionally, medical expenses may extend beyond immediate care, including rehabilitation and an extended time off. The average slip and fall case cost accounts for lost wages, lost productivity, and anticipated future medical and employment expenses.

Recovering Damages

It is crucial that you go to the hospital after an accident. Visit the closest emergency room, such as Northwestern Memorial Hospital or UChicago Medicine, for a comprehensive evaluation. When a doctor has cleared you, call our attorneys as soon as possible.

A slip and fall accident lawyer can help investigate your case if negligence leads to your injuries, ensuring you recover the compensation you need for recovery. We will review records, help you file a workers’ compensation claim if this is a work-related injury, and analyze relevant case law to evaluate the strength of your claim.

For example, Williamson v. Evans Nails & Spa Corporationheld that companies can be liable under premises liability laws if they fail to warn customers of potential risks, such as falling from a raised platform.

We will also use relevant laws, such as the Premises Liability Act, to support your argument. This law requires property owners to take reasonable care to protect invited guests from hazards, such as unsecured railings. We will also utilize local building codes, such as Chicago’s Title 14B, to demonstrate that the defendant was not in compliance with these regulations.

Damages our legal team can recover for negligence include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. For wrongful death, our Chicago attorneys can recover burial expenses, funeral costs, loss of financial support, and grief.

Consult a Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Near You!

With a 98% success rate and over $450 million recovered for our clients, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is the leading law firm handling personal injury cases across Cook County, the Chicago metropolitan area, and beyond.

Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we successfully secure compensation for you. To schedule a free consultation with our experienced personal injury attorneys in Chicago, call us at (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.