Trip and fall accidents can be serious, sometimes even leading to fatalities. Recently an assistant principal at a Georgia school passed away after a violent tumble down the stairs. According to reports on CBS Atlanta, the assistant principal was only 36-years-old. She worked at an elementary school in Gwinnett County. The young woman was walking down a flight of stairs when she tripped, tumbling down the long length and suffering severe and fatal injuries.
Grief counselors will be on hand at the school to assist students and teachers as they work through this tragedy. The CDC says that every year, one in three adults over the age of 64 falls and thousands of older adults die from fall injuries every year. About two million adults are treated for nonfatal fall injuries in emergency departments. The University of Pittsburgh Prevention Research Center says that half of all falls occur in a person’s home falls are the main reason that older people go to emergency departments according to research completed by the National Safety Council.
The University of Washington researchers write that stairs are a challenge for many people with balance problems. While balance can contribute, there are other factors that can cause a stair fall to occur. For example, if the stars are not equipped with a non-slip grip tape or surface, the possibility of a fall is more likely. Also, if the stairs are uneven, or if the staircase is not equipped with handrails, this can add to the dangers.
Have You Been Injured On Someone Else’s Property?
If you’ve been injured due to neglect while on someone else’s property you need to speak with an experienced premises liability lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our office directly at (800) 234-9556 to schedule your free consultation.