Personal Injury

July 30, 2011

Technology could Prevent Massachusetts Traffic Crashes involving Seniors

A number of new systems may be hitting Massachusetts roadways to help track lost or confused older drivers. OnStar and GM’s signature services have always been able to locate vehicles that were equipped with these systems, but for the first time they’re available as add-ons to non-General Motors vehicles. These systems aim to keep track of senior drivers and help prevent car accidents in Massachusetts.

The Alzheimer’s Association markets a number of devices under a program called “Comfort Zone.” These devices include CalAmp tracker and the Sendum tracker. Both of the devices can be yours for less than $300, with an activation fee of $45 and a monthly fee of $44.99. For some, these systems may be worth every penny as they’re able to locate a vehicle in less than 15 minutes.

In today’s economy, our Boston personal injury attorneys understand that this might be a bit pricey. Other devices cost less than $100 to install and only charge of a monthly fee of $14.95. With these devices you can locate either a vehicle or the person carrying the device once a day.

The OnStar system was previously offered on new GM vehicles. But this week launched availability on most all vehicles. This system has a GPS-based feature that allows the contract holder to request information regarding the vehicle’s location. This information is typically obtained through a local law enforcement agency.

Some of the OnStar systems can be housed in your vehicle’s rear-view mirror. Not only is the contract holder able to locate a vehicle if it has turned up missing, but the system can also be used to get specific turn-by-turn directions.

The Silver Alert is another system that many places are using to specifically target older drivers. The program was started in Oklahoma in 2005. The Silver Alert program is designed to quickly disseminate descriptive information about a missing person. With quick information distributions, citizens in the affected area can be on the lookout for the missing person and then can notify local law enforcement with any relevant information. Silver Alerts are typically broadcast on signs on the Interstate highways and toll roads. Currently Silver Alert requirements state that a resident must be 60-years-old or older and there must be “a clear indication:” that the elderly person is suffering from some deterioration of “intellectual facilities.”

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 60 percent of Alzheimer’s patients will, at least at one point in their life, wander off and become lost. For this reason, it is important that we keep an eye on our older loved ones and to do your part to help them reach a decision about when it’s time to hang up the keys.
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July 26, 2011

Logan Incident a Reminder of Risks for Boston Airplane Accidents

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Federal investigators were recently called to the scene of a Massachusetts aviation accident when the wing of a large moving passenger jet clipped the tail of a stationary aircraft on the taxiway of Boston’s Logan International Airport. Both of the aircraft sustained damages and were taken out of service, according to The Washington Post.

One plane was Delta Flight 266 that was heading from Boston to Amsterdam. The other plane was Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 4904 that was heading from Boston to Raleigh-Durham.

Our Massachusetts personal injury attorneys understand that these accidents are not as uncommon as some may believe. The frequency of these accidents has landed them a spot on the National Transportation Safety Board‘s (NTSB) ‘”most wanted” list. This list is part of a program that aims to increase the public’s awareness of, and support for, action to adopt safety steps that can help to prevent these types of accidents and save lives along the way.

According to an airport spokesman, there was one passenger that was complaining of neck pain and was taken to the hospital for treatment. While these were commercial airliners, the real risk of plane accidents in New England is in the general aviation sector.

Luckily, there has not been a fatal large commercial aviation accident in the United States since 2009. That’s not the case in the world of general aviation. According to the NTSB, there were nearly 500 people killed in general aviation accidents in 2009 alone. Thousands more were injured in the accidents.

General aviation accidents are six times more likely to happen than small commuter and taxi operation accidents and more than 40 times more likely to occur than transport category operations. This means that general aviation continues to present the most risk.

The NTSB recommends the following fixes to help reduce the number of fatal general aviation accidents:

-Make sure that maintenance personnel are continuously updated with current training and pay close attention to key systems, such as electrical systems.

-Aircraft design should address icing.

-All general aviation aircraft should come equipped with the best occupant protection systems that are currently available.

-All aircraft should come with working emergency locator transmitters so that emergency responders can facilitate timely discovery and rescue in the event of an accident.

-Properly train all pilots.

-All general aviation pilots should be required to take initial and recurrent training on the various weather information sources. They should also be required to learn the appropriate steps to take when they inadvertently encounter adverse weather.

-Pilots not only need to be able to understand how general aviation technology works, but they also need to understand how it can malfunction. During an emergency isn’t time look through a plane’s manual to try to figure out how to adjust the flight display.

-Every passenger should have a seat and a restraint system. This includes children under the age of 2.
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July 26, 2011

16-Year-Old Escapes Death in Massachusetts Bicycling Accident

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A minivan clipped a 16-year-old bicyclist on Boston Street, sending him under an oncoming dump truck. The young cyclist was conscious and alert when emergency responders arrived at the Massachusetts bicycle accident scene. He was treated at the scene and then transported to North Shore Children’s Hospital in Salem “for precautionary reasons,” according to The Salem News.

“He was laying against the rear tires of the truck,” and would’ve been hit if the vehicle had come to a stop any slower, said Deputy Fire Chief Glen Beaudet.

Our Boston bike accident attorneys understand that this accident could have gone much differently, and we are thankful that it didn’t. Motorists and cyclists need to be aware and considerate of one another on our Massachusetts roads to help avoid future accidents.

The teen was lucky because instead of being run over by the 14-wheel dump truck, the two front tires of the truck passed over each side of him. The driver of the minivan who reportedly caused the accident was arrested and charged for operating a motor vehicle without having a valid driver’s license. The driver of the dump truck was not charged.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 600 bicyclists were killed in traffic accidents in the United States in 2009. Another 51,000 bicyclists suffered injuries from these incidents. These types of accidents account for 2 percent of all motor-vehicle traffic deaths each year.

Most of the bicycling accidents that happened in 2009 happened in urban areas at non-intersections. These incidents have increased nearly 10 percent since 2008. Roughly 75 percent of these fatal accidents occurred between 4:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. This is also a near 10 percent increase from the previous year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children are at an increased risk for these types of accidents. Children 15-years-old and younger accounted for nearly 60 percent of all bicycle-related injuries seen in U.S. emergency departments in 2001.

Kid friendly bicycling tips, provided by the NHTSA:

-Make sure your bicycle fits to you. There should only be between 1 and 2 inches between you and the top tube (bar) on a road bike and 3 to 4 inches on a mountain bicycle. Your bicycle seat height should be adjusted to a height that allows a slight bend at the knee when the leg is fully extended. The handlebars should be at the same height as the seat.

-Wear bright colored clothing and have reflectors on your bicycle. Your best bet is to wear neon, fluorescent or other bright colors instead of white.

-Always keep at least one hand on the handlebars.

-Be on the lookout for road hazards. This includes potholes, broken glass, gravel, puddles, leaves and animals.

-Ride with the flow of traffic. Never ride against the flow of traffic.

-Always obey all traffic signs, signals, and lane markings.

-Yield to traffic.

-Ride predictably. Always ride in a straight line and signal your moves to others.

-Be on the lookout for parked cars. Make sure that you ride far enough out from the curb to avoid the unexpected from parked cars, including doors opening, or cars pulling out.
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July 18, 2011

Seven Passengers in Hospital after Massachusetts Bus Accident

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A Massachusetts bus accident sent seven Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority bus passengers to area hospitals recently. The bus accident happened on Route 28 when a motorist reportedly made a sharp left turn in front of the MBTA bus and forced the bus driver to slam on the brakes to avoid a major collision, according to The Milford Daily News.

The driver of the SUV that cut off the bus, a 72-year-old Milton resident, was taken to Beth Israel Hospital in Boston and reportedly suffered a neck injury. The elderly driver will be cited for failing to yield when turning, says T spokesman Joe Pesaturo.

We know that Massachusetts residents and visitors rely on this form of public transportation on a daily basis. We expect these buses to get us to and from our destinations safely.

Our Boston personal injury attorneys understand that these travelers also trust that the operator of these buses, trains and subways have completed proper training and possess safe, alert and cautious driving habits. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. According to the MBTA website, its drivers are typically involved in nearly 2,500 accidents every year. About 500 of these accidents are considered to be preventable. The MBTA buses take about 4.5 million bus trips every year. MBTA buses have been involved in 11 fatalities since 2000.

The injured bus passengers were from Randolph:

-Marie Dory, 60
-Felicia Florence, 45
-Connie Harding, 55
-Linda Whittaker, 48
-Evelyn Morales, 37
-Kennie Boulin, 21
-Jean Nelson, 39
The bus driver reports that the bus was heading north on Randolph Avenue when the SUV tried to turn left onto Chickatawbut Road in front of the bus. The driver says that the bus and the SUV still made some contact after she braked.

Luckily, about 350 buses of the MBTA fleet of more than 1,000 come equipped with eight cameras a piece. These bus cameras provide views of inside the bus, in front of the bus and on either side of the bus. Some MBTA subway cars and stations also have video cameras. These cameras can help implicate some people and vindicate others in the event of an accident.

According to the Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis, nearly 40 MBTA accidents have been reported to have occurred from January to March of this year. During the first three months of 2011, there were 2 reported fatalities involving an MBTA accident or incident. In 2009, there were 221 fatal bus crashes reported across the United States. The same year in Massachusetts, there was one single bus accident that resulted in a fatality.

We rely on the operators of these buses every day to travel our roadways safely. With the proper training, cautious driving techniques and safe driving habits, we can all hope to enjoy public transportation without injury.
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July 15, 2011

Massachusetts Personal Injury Attorney’s Update on Recalled Household Products

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Ever year, consumers are exposed to a number of household items that, because of manufacturing defects, can cause serious injury. To help keep residents safe, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has been working to ensure the safety of consumer products to reduce the risk of death and personal injury in Massachusetts and elsewhere throughout the United States for more than 30 years now.

The CPSC helps to protect consumers against possible fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazards or can injure children. Our Boston personal injury attorneys realize that many consumers in Massachusetts may have some of these products in their homes. We would like to give you an update on which products have been recalled by the CPSC to help ensure your safety.

–Hamilton Beach Recalls Toasters: More than 300,000 Hamilton Beach classic chrome 2-slice toasters have been recalled because of a fire hazard if the toaster is placed near flammable items. The company has already received nearly 20 reports of toasters that did not pop-up as intended. A number of these incidents reported minor damage to kitchen cabinets. These toasters were sold at mass merchandisers and department, grocery and home center stores nationwide and various online retailers from February 2008 through June 2011.

–Adventure Playsets Swing Sets: The wood in the posts of the fort sections on the swing sets of these playsets can weaken caused by weathering and rotting. The rotted posts create a potential fall hazard. The company has received more than 500 consumer complaints that reported concern over the weakened wood. The playsets were sold at Academy Sports, Toys-R-Us, Walmart, Mills and Menards from 2005 to 2007.

–Mizuno USA Inc. Baseball and Softball Gloves: An estimated 131,000 gloves have been recalled after molds were discovered that could cause respiratory or other infections in individuals with chronic health problems. These gloves were sold at Walmart and Target stores nationwide from April 2010 through May 2011.

–Dollar Tree Glass Votive Candle Holders: Dollar Tree Stores Inc., of Chesapeake, Va. is recalling roughly 117,000 glass votive candle holders because of possible fire and laceration hazards. The glass votive candle holders can shatter while in use. This danger poses a fire and laceration hazard to consumers. The candle holders were sold at Dollar Tree, Dollar Bill$, Deal$ and Dollar Tree Deal$ stores nationwide from December 2010 through April 2011.

–Mini Stars Building Sets Recalled: The company has received roughly 18,000 of these building sets because the plastic knobs can break from the center of the stars and can posing a choking hazard to children. These sets were sold at small retail stores nationwide, online at Toys R Us.com, Amazon.com and CSN on walmart.com from January 2007 through December 2009.

–Chanel Recalls Silk Scarves and Garments: Chanel is recalling about 120 scarves and 34 garments, including dresses, skirts and blouses. These garments do not meet the federal flammability standard for wearing apparel and they pose a fire hazard to consumers. The items were sold at Chanel Boutiques, Neiman Marcus and Maxfield stores in March and April 2010.

In addition to visiting to CPSC website, you can all call the agency’s toll-free hotline, 1-800-638-2772, for more recall information. To report product complaints or injuries, you can call their toll-free number between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday, except holidays.

Please check this information periodically to make sure that none on your household items are presenting any dangers to you or your family. You’re also urged to report any products that have presented any dangers of defects in your household.
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July 13, 2011

American Junior Welterweight Professional Boxer, Micky Ward, Hospitalized after Dog Bite Accident in Massachusetts

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Micky Ward, legendary boxer and the subject of the movie “The Fighter,” was hospitalized for a week last month after suffering an injury from a dog bite accident in Massachusetts. It happened while he was trying to separate a dog fight, according to Boston.com.

Ward’s agent reports that the boxer was walking his dog in Lowell when the other pup approached the two. He says Ward initially thought that the dogs would be friendly, but when they started to get rough with each other, he stuck his right hand between them to keep them from harming one another. That’s when one of the dogs sunk its teeth into Ward’s hand.

Dog bites happen all too often and sometimes when people least expect it. Our Boston dog bite injury lawyers urge everyone to be cautious around strange dogs as nearly 5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year. It is estimated that one in five dog bites results in injury and the need for medical attention.

“They got his [right ring] finger pretty bad,” said agent Nick Cordasco.

The former junior welterweight champion was hospitalized and received stitches in his hand to heal up the wound. He wasn’t immediately released from the hospital because doctors wanted to conduct a number of tests to make sure there were no complications. Ward reportedly had no other medical issues other than the injured finger.

“He’s in good spirits,” Cordasco said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are nearly 1 million injuries that result from dog bites every year. More than 31,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery because of dog bites in 2006.

Children age 5- to 9-years-old are the most likely to suffer a dog bite injury. They have a higher rate of dog bite-related injuries than any other age group. According to dog bite data, men are more likely to be bitten than women.

Residents who have a dog have a greater change of being bitten that those without. With more dogs in the home, your risks of being bitten increase. Residents with two or more dogs in the house are five times more likely to experience a dog bite incident.
Follow these safety tips to help prevent being bitten by a dog:

Before you bring home a pet dog:

-Talk with a veterinarian, animal behaviorist or responsible breeder to learn what breeds of dogs would be best for your household and your family members.

-Typically, dog breeds with a history of aggression are not suitable for households with young children.

-Keep an eye out for cues that show your child is fearful or apprehensive about a dog.

-Spend time with your potential dog before bringing it home.

If you decide to bring a dog into your home:

-Make sure that you spay or neuter your dog. This typically reduces aggression.

-Never leave young children alone with your new dog.

-Don’t play aggressive games with your dog.

-When training your dog, teach it submissive behaviors.

General safety tips for unfamiliar dogs:

-Never approach an unfamiliar dog.

-Don’t run from a dog.

-Don’t move when an unfamiliar dog is approaching.

-If you’re knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still.

-Don’t disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.

-Don’t touch, pet or play with a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
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July 11, 2011

Woman Dead for Days after Massachusetts Swimming Pool Drowning

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Nearly 20 state pools were closed for review after a 36-year-old resident drowned in the Fall River Veteran’s Memorial Swimming Pool. The Massachusetts drowning accident wasn’t discovered until two days after it happened.

Residents are now being let back into these pools. They were temporarily shut down after that fatal safety lapse in Fall River. All pools had to pass precautionary inspections.

A number of agencies were on the case, conducting investigations into the deadly accident. The state Department of Conservation and Recreation started its review of the facility after receiving permission from the Bristol district attorney’s office and police.

Our Boston pool accident attorneys know that many residents and visitors jump into these pools during this time of year because the summer months provide such beautiful outdoor weather.

“We started our own investigation, having been given the green light by the DA last night to do so,” Edward M. Lambert Jr., the Department of Conservation and Recreation commissioner, said yesterday. “The team has been tasked with getting the facts around this disturbing incident.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 10 people die every day from unintentional drownings. Two of these 10 deaths occur to children under the age of 15. As a matter of fact, drowning is the second leading cause of death for children in this age group. Drowning is the sixth leasing cause of unintentional injury death for people of all ages.

In 2007 alone, there were nearly 3,500 deaths resulting from unintentional drownings in the United States. These figures do not include boating-related drownings. One-fifth of every drowning victim is a young child under the age of 15. For every one of these child deaths, four more are sent to emergency rooms for nonfatal submersion injuries.

More than half of all people who experience a drowning incident are treated in emergency departments and are required to stay in the hospital or are transferred to higher levels of care. These nonfatal drownings can cause brain damage. Oftentimes these injuries result in long-term disabilities including memory problems, learning disabilities and permanent loss of basic functioning.

To help prevent water-related injuries:

-Supervise all children when around water. Remain close enough to reach children at all times. Prohibit adults from being involved in any other distracting activity while supervising children.

-Swim with the buddy system. Never swim alone. Swim in areas that have lifeguards whenever possible.

-Learn to Swim. Formal swimming lessons can help to protect people from drowning.

-Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). CPR can help to save someone’s life in the time it might take for paramedics to arrive.

-Don’t use air-filled or foam toys. These toys should not be used in place of life jackets or personal flotation devices. They’re not designed to keep swimmers safe.

-Don’t drink and swim. Don’t drink while supervising swimming children either.
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July 9, 2011

Marshfield Woman Burned in Household Explosion Accident in Massachusetts

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A fiery explosion caused from flammable mosquito repellent sent a Marshfield woman to the hospital after suffering from severe burn injuries in Massachusetts. She will need skin grafts to repair her arm, according to the Patriot Ledger.

The woman was at her friend’s house on Main Street in Hanover last Friday when the accident happened. To cool her burning skin, she jumped into a nearby pool. Her face and arms were burned. The owner of the house said that the explosion happened when the woman went to refill a pot of flammable bug repellent. The woman was sitting a few feet away from the pot of mosquito repellent that exploded.

Burn injuries in Boston can happen at any time to anybody. They’re most likely to cause injury to a person’s face, hands and arms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, burns are most likely to happen to children under the age of 20. Every day, nearly 450 people from this age group are sent to emergency rooms for burn-related injuries. Two of these children die every day because of these injuries.

It is important to take all of the proper safety precautions to help keep these young one’s safe and to protect them from potential burn injuries. Younger children are most likely to receive injuries from scald burns that are caused by hot liquids or steam. Older children are more likely to sustain injuries from flame burns. These burns are caused by direct contact with fire.

You may think a burn is just a burn, but actually there are a number of kinds that can occur:

-First Degree Burns: This is a burn that affects the epidermis — or the outer layer of skin. If you experience this type of burn, you can expect pain, swelling, tingling and hypersensitivity. The wound will typically look red and dry.

-Second Degree Burns: This type of burn affects both the epidermis and the dermis. This burn is often called partial thickness burns. If you experience this type of burn, you can expect extreme pain, redness, swelling and blistering. Weeping at the surface is also common. You can also expect some substantial scarring once the burn heals. These types of burns are usually caused by flash injuries (such as explosions), scalding liquids and flame injuries.

-Third Degree Burns: These are extreme burns that affect the entire thickness of skin and underlying muscle tissue. These burns destroy sweat glands and hair follicles. Nerve damage that these burns cause may lessen the pain. Treatment for these burns can be rather extensive and costly. These treatments can involve skin grafts and lengthy hospital stays.

-Fourth-Degree Burns: These are life-threatening burns. In this type of burn, the burning reaches all the way down to the bone and the skin is permanently lost. These incidents can sometimes be associated with lost limbs and amputations. These injuries are often caused by high-voltage electric and prolonged flame contact.

How can I prevent a serious burn?

-Be alarmed. It is important that you install and maintain smoke alarms in your home. Make sure they’re on every floor and near all rooms that people members sleep in. Test them at least once a month to make sure they are working properly.

-Have a plan. Create and practice a family fire escape plan. Make sure everyone in the house, especially kids, understand the plan. Also make sure that everyone knows at least two ways out of every room. Be sure to designate a central meeting place outside.

-Cook with care. Never leaving food unattended on the stove and supervise young children whenever they’re near cooking surfaces.
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July 6, 2011

Beacon Hill Next to Use Controversial Red-Light Cameras to Decrease Risks of Intersection Car Accidents?

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

“This is just about public safety. It’s a no-brainer. Let’s get it done,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who has pushed for red-light cameras since 1993. “Other states have it. Why can’t we do it in Massachusetts? What’s the reluctency of the Legislature to pass this? This saves lives.”

Current Massachusetts law does not allow these red-light traffic cameras. Lawmakers have yet to authorize legislation stating otherwise, according to thenewspaper.com. Those opposing the red-lights say that they see them coming in the near future because of the areas budget deficits.

Beacon Hill is currently feeling the pressure as they’re running low on city cash and may be turning to these cameras to make up the difference. They may be next to install these intersection cameras, according to My Fox Boston. Lawmakers continue to argue that the main purpose of these cameras is to reduce your risk of a car accident in Massachusetts and not to make a quick buck.

Our Boston personal injury attorneys understand that these red-light cameras have created a battle between politicians and residents. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, big cities with red-light cameras have been fortunate enough to experience a decrease in fatal intersection accidents of nearly 25 percent. Residents argue that the only thing that is decreasing is their privacy.

Those who oppose these cameras claim that the eye in the sky is only an invasion of privacy and a money maker for a city that is caught in a budget bind. A number of previous bills have failed because officials are reluctant to change a law that requires traffic tickets to be hand delivered. Lawmakers defend the possible move by saying that these cameras will help to crack down on violators while helping out police forces that have faced severe cuts.

“Most drivers don’t buy the argument that it’s somehow wrong to enforce the law just because you’re using a camera to do it,” says Anne McCartt, the Institute’s senior vice president for research. “They understand that this technology is preventing crashes in their cities.”

A recent survey, conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, concluded that 93 percent of drivers said that it is unacceptable to go through a red light if it’s possible to stop safely. To almost no surprise, a third of these drivers admitted to running a red light in the past 30 days.

“Examining a large group of cities over several years allowed us to take a close look at the most serious crashes, the ones that claim people’s lives,” says McCartt, who is also a co-author of the study. “Our analysis shows that red light cameras are making intersections safer.”

Since the 1990s, a number of communities have used these red-light cameras as a low-cost way to reduce intersection accidents and as an alternative way to police these areas. In 2000, only 25 cities participated in such programs. Currently, there are more than 500 cities that are taking advantage of the technology. Still, many motorists view these cameras as nothing more than a scam operated by money-hungry cities.

“Somehow, the people who get tickets because they have broken the law have been cast as the victims,” says Institute president Adrian Lund. “We rarely hear about the real victims — the people who are killed or injured by these lawbreakers.”
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June 21, 2011

Raising Awareness of Fall Accidents in Boston and Elsewhere

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

The National Safety Council uses the entire month of June to focus on a number of preventable injuries. This week, the Council focuses on slips, trips and falls.

Fall accidents in Massachusetts are one of the leading causes of these unintentional injuries. These accidents accounted for nearly 9 million visits to emergency rooms nationwide. Adults 55 and older are most likely to become a victim of one of these falls, while residents 65 and older are four times more likely to die from of a fall than people in any other age group.

Our Boston personal injury attorneys understand the severe consequences of these fall accidents at home or elsewhere. For this reason, safety precautions should be taken to avoid these incidents. Falls can result in serious injuries that can hinder an adult’s ability to lead an active and independent lifestyle. Property owners and businesses are required, by law, to make sure that their grounds are safe for everyone. Failure to eliminate potential hazards can result in legal repercussions.

In 2000 alone, falls for older adults cost the U.S. health care system more than $19 billion, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As the population continues to age, both the number of serious falls and the costs of treatment for these fall injuries will more than likely increase. These direct costs are what insurance companies and patients dish out for treating injuries caused by falls. The costs often include nursing home care, hospital fees, rehabilitation, the use of medical equipment, community-based services, changes made to the home, prescription drugs and insurance processing. Of the more than $19 billion, nearly $2 million went toward fatal falls, while $19 billion went to nonfatal falls. Fall-related injuries are one of the most expensive treated injuries among community-dwelling older adults.

In 2001, more than 18,000 adults died of injuries from unintentional falls.

About 30 percent of people who fall end up suffering from lacerations, hip fractures or head traumas. Falls are the number one cause of traumatic brain injury. In 2000 alone, traumatic brain injury accounted for nearly 50 percent of all fatal falls among older adults.

How to help prevent falls:

-Make sure to exercise regularly. Be sure that when you exercise, you’re focusing on increasing balance and leg strength.

-Have your eyes checked at least once a year. Make sure that your prescription is up to date.

-Ask your doctor or pharmacist about your medications. Does taking any of them together produce dizziness of drowsiness?

-Make your house a little bit safer by increasing the lighting, adding railings or grab bars and reducing tripping hazards.
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