ESCALATOR INJURIES FOR OLDER ADULTS ON THE RISE
The New York Times cites a report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicating that while older women suffer more injuries on escalators than older men, it seems that 85% of all escalator injuries result from a NY slip or a fall.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s report is based on data collected and analyzed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which was published in the March issue of the Accident Analysis and Prevention journal.
Dr. Joseph O’Neil, an associate professor of pediatrics at Indiana University, indicated he had no idea why accident rates on escalators for both men and women had doubled from 1991 to 2005. The report shows that nearly 40,000 people over 65 were injured while riding an escalator-an average of 2,660 per year. Dr. Neil further commented that normally riding an escalator is not seen as a dangerous thing to do but that older adults ‘need to use caution’.
According to WebMD, there are several things older adults can do to prevent slip & falls:
1. Exercise regularly to improve muscle strength, tone and sense of balance.
2. If you have any problems with dizziness call your doctor to check to see if you have an inner ear infection.
3. Have your vision and hearing checked on a regular basis.
4. Know all the side effects of your medication and how they might affect your balance.
WebMD also reports that fatal falls in older adults are also on the rise. According to a Nov. 17, 2006 report, falls were the top cause of accidental deaths in people age 65 and older, and fatal fall rates are rising, says the report. The CDC reports that 13,700 people age 65 and older died of fall-related injuries in 2003.
Most stores with more than one story have elevators. When in doubt use one of those and avoid the escalator.
If you, or a family member have been injured as a result of a dangerous or hazardous condition, or while riding an escalator, please call the NY slip and fall attorneys Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro, L.L.P at 212-986-7353. They would like to set up an appointment to discuss your case.
