Among the biggest risks associated with falling down the stairs are:
- head injuries, including concussions
- back and spinal cord injuries
- hip fractures and other broken bones
- neck injuries
- cuts and bruises
What happens if you fall down the stairs?
These injuries can result in pain and suffering, long-term disability, and loss of the ability to work. Unfortunately, falling down the stairs is all too common: the National Safety Council ranks stairway falls second only to motor vehicle accidents as a leading cause of accidental injury. 1. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
What is the most common age to fall down stairs?
People between the ages of 11 and 62 make up the majority (67%) of people who fall down stairs. The highest injury rates occur with younger children and older adults. Children under 10 tend to experience more head and neck injuries while, older fall victims are more likely to sustain broken bones than younger people.
What kind of negligence leads to Stair Falls?
Some examples of negligence that lead to stair falls include the following: Any of the above dangerous conditions can lead to a property owner being liable for the losses of a fall victim. If you believe a negligent property owner caused your injuries, you should call the law office of Spaulding Injury Law in Cumming, Georgia as soon as possible.
What are the causes of Stair accidents?
Under lighting: Poor lighting on the stairs is another major reason for the dreadful staircase accidents. High-powered lighting should be placed to avoid mishaps. Some poor-quality LED lamps will take some time to brighten up the area.
What percentage of falls occur on stairs?
When to follow up after a fall down stairs?
What is it called when you fall down stairs and land hard on your butt?
What to do if you aren't on a flat surface?
What to do when you fall alone?
Can a fall down stairs cause a fracture?
Do stairs cause injuries?
See 4 more
About this website
What injuries can you get from falling down the stairs?
Common Injuries from Falling Down StairsSprains and strains (32.3% according to the above study)Fractures (19.3%) – such as to the face, hands and wrists.Spinal cord damage.Deep lacerations.Head and neck injuries (21.6%)Injury to the brain.Injuries to the back or neck.Broken bones.More items...•
What to watch for after falling down stairs?
If your back pain after falling down the stairs persists for a few days, you should seek medical attention. Depending on the severity of the back pain, you can either see a physical therapist or a medical doctor as your first point of contact. Some people even choose to work with athletic trainers, too.
Can falling down the stairs cause nerve damage?
Nerve Damage: Nerve damage is one of the most common injuries following a stairway fall, and it can cause numbness, pain, tingling, severe headaches, loss of motor function, and more. Nerve damage is often treated by physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Should I go to hospital after falling down the stairs?
Seek medical help immediately, if someone is experiencing a severe headache, nausea and vomiting, or confusion. Some injuries may cause severe bleeding that won't stop after at least 15 minutes of pressure or there may be an obvious fracture. These conditions are considered emergencies.
What happens to your body after a fall?
These injuries can make it hard for a person to get around, do everyday activities, or live on their own. Falls can cause broken bones, like wrist, arm, ankle, and hip fractures. Falls can cause head injuries. These can be very serious, especially if the person is taking certain medicines (like blood thinners).
How long after fall does pain start?
Although fall-related incidents also run the risk of leaving a person with back injuries, one might not start to feel tightness or pain in this region until hours or days later.
When should you see a doctor after a fall?
However, if pain from a fall persists beyond a few hours or you are unable to bear weight or move an upper extremity without pain, be sure to get evaluated by a physician. If the fall should cause a broken bone with skin disruption, get emergency care immediately.
Can falling down stairs cause blunt force trauma?
The skeletal blunt force trauma resulting from fatal falls involving stairs is complex. There are countless ways an individual may fall when stairs are involved, and thus a variety of ways the skeleton may fracture.
When should you seek medical attention after a fall?
If the fall should cause a broken bone with skin disruption, get emergency care immediately. Most other sprains, strains or fractures can be safely treated by your primary care physician or at a certified urgent care.
How long after fall does pain start?
Although fall-related incidents also run the risk of leaving a person with back injuries, one might not start to feel tightness or pain in this region until hours or days later.
When should I worry about back pain after a fall?
Severe back injuries include fractures (a break in a bone), wounds, extensive bruising and damage to your spinal cord and internal organs. Any of the following symptoms could indicate a severe back injury. You should see a doctor right away if you have: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
I fell on my butt and my lower back is in pain - HealthTap
"fell down my stairs month ago.fell on right side of butt/lower back.pain is to the right of my tailbone above my butt.damaged my kidney? hurts to walk" Answered by Dr. Vikram Patel: Sacroiliac joint: Falling and landing on buttocks creates damaging imp...
Common Injuries From Falling Down Stairs - Amstep Products
Whether at work, at home or out in public, falling down the stairs is a significant worry for many people. As an accident that can result in life-changing injuries, it’s important to know how you can prevent these from happening as soon as possible.
Right side pain from falling down the stairs - Steady. Health
Hi, I fell down the stairs 2 days ago ofcourse I bruised my butt. However, I also bruised the right side of my back. At first the pain on the whole right side of my back was unberable but after the first day from my right bottom rib down I've been in alot of pain and its not going away.
Fell down stairs hurt lower back - Practo
Is Fell down stairs hurt lower back your major concern? Solve your problem quick & easy with online consultation. Get your query answered 24*7 with Expert Advice and Tips from doctors for Fell down stairs hurt lower back | Practo Consult
Today, my foot slipped and I fell down the stairs on my butt ... - Quora
Answer (1 of 16): Caution says yes. Do you NEED to see a doc? I would say yes if you have something like diabetes, are pregnant, are on blood thinners, have osteoporosis, or some other significant health issue. If you have significant pain or numbness, especially when you now SIT as opposed to ar...
What happens if you fall on stairs?
More serious injuries from a fall on the stairs can require emergency room visits or surgery. Fractured bones may need to be immobilized with a cast or brace. Severe bone injuries may require surgery to correct. Neck or back pain after a fall might be the sign of a spinal cord injury which could result in paralysis. To be safe, you should visit the emergency room If you have numbness or a change in session in your limbs.
How to avoid falling down stairs?
Even on short staircases, using a handrail is the easiest way to avoid falling down the stairs. Even if you are carrying something up or down the stairs, make sure you have one hand on the railing. If your staircase doesn’t have a handrail, you should consider adding one.
How many people died from falling on stairs in 2019?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 2,521 deaths from falls on or from stairs and steps in 2019. Falls from stairs are more likely in individuals ages 65 and older. Most of these fatalities can be prevented by ensuring safe stair design, maintenance, and use.
How to help a stair fall?
Some stair-related falls by require ongoing therapy for treatment . Physical therapy, massage or treatment by a chiropractor can all be beneficial in helping the body recover from fall-related injuries. Seeing an athletic trainer can also aid recovery efforts. These types of medical professional can determine the best way to assist with injury recovery and avoid chronic pain.
What are the areas of the body most affected by falling down stairs?
The areas of the body most frequently affected by falling down the stairs are the legs, ankles, and feet (42%) and head and neck (22%).
What to do if you think moving will exacerbate any injuries?
If you think moving will exacerbate any injuries, then lie still and wait for assistance to arrive.
What can be left on stairs?
Any items left on stairs, such as shoes or work equipment, can create potential hazards. Having a clear path that is also well-lit, will help reduce the risk of someone falling down the stairs.
Why do people fall down stairs?
One of the reasons falls down the stairs can be so gravely injurious, and even fatal, is that when people lose their balance—on a poorly maintained surface, for example—and fall backward on a downward slope with hard angles, they impact in positions that target the head and spine. Any major impact to the head can cause serious, long-term injury.
Is it common to fall down stairs?
These injuries can result in pain and suffering, long-term disability, and loss of the ability to work. Unfortunately, falling down the stairs is all too common: the National Safety Council ranks stairway falls second only to motor vehicle accidents as a leading cause of accidental injury.
Can a fall down stairs devastate the head?
A Fall Down the Stairs Can Devastate the Head and Spine. For thousands of years , humans have conquered the problem of changing elevation by building stairs. No doubt for just as long, we have feared to careen down them. After all, the human body isn’t indestructible, and what could pose a greater combined threat than gravity, velocity, ...
Can a slip on a stairway cause numbness?
Compression of Discs and Slipped Discs. Stairway falls can cause trauma to the walls of spinal discs, causing them to painfully compress or bulge (“slip”). This can lead to severe pain, numbness, and muscle weakness, not just localized at the point of trauma but radiating to the arms and legs as well.
What happens if you fall down a set of stairs?
When you fall forward down a set of stairs, it is difficult—if not impossible—to catch yourself. As a result, these falls can result in devastating injuries. If you have been injured, contact a personal injury attorney right away.
Why do stairways fall?
Unfortunately, many falls occur because property owners fail to meet this duty of care and keep their property in negligent condition.
What are the most common injuries that occur when you fall down stairs?
Some of the most common stairway-related injuries can include: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) 1. Neck & Back injuries.
What are the most common injuries in stairs?
Some of the most common stairway-related injuries can include: Traumatic brain injury (T BI) 1. Neck & Back injuries. Spinal cord damage. Shattered or broken bones. Deep contusions or lacerations. Facial fractures. Compound fractures in hands and wrists. Sprains and strains.
What causes a person to slip on a stair?
Broken stairs are among the most serious causes of a slip or fall on stairs, and can occur in a few different ways. There are two basic parts to stairs, the run and the riser. The riser is the part of the stairs that goes up vertically, while the run is the horizontal part of the stair that a person places his or her feet on.
Why are stair risers damaged?
Risers can also be damaged due to long-term use, and crumbling concrete or bricks in outdoor stairs can seriously compromise their safety . Handrails are also important and legally required for most stairways.
What happens if you break a handrail on a staircase?
Broken handrails can result in a person becoming off-balance while going up or down the stairs, or create tripping hazards if the rails are no longer properly aligned. In any situation with broken stairs, it is very important to immediately notify the property owner about the damage, and document the notification.
Can you be liable for a fall on a staircase?
When these codes are not properly met, the property owner can be liable for injuries that occur because of a fall or slip on the stairs, due to codes not being followed.
Can you use non-slip coating on stairs?
While some slippery conditions can be unavoidable, property owners need to take action to ensure stairs remain as safe as possible. Non-slip coatings and materials can be used to keep stairs safe to use even during rain, snow, and serious winter conditions in New York City.
Can you get hurt from falling down a staircase?
Slips and falls on any surface can lead to serious injury, but when it happens on a staircase, the results can be far more catastrophic. Falls make up a large number of daily injuries in New York, and fatalities due to falling down a stair case are alarmingly common.
What happens if you fall down stairs?
Some of the most common injuries from falling down stairs include sprains, strains, soft tissue injuries, broken bones and fractures, and head and neck injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries. In some cases, the victim was not at fault for the stairway accident. He or she may be able to bring a stairway accident lawsuit to recover damages.
What causes stairway accidents?
Many stairway accidents are caused when the victim slips or trips. However, many of these slip-and-fall accidents are not the victim’s fault. Some common causes of these stair falls are:
What happens if a property owner is not negligent?
Even if the property owner was not negligent per se, that does not mean that he or she was not negligent. The law of premises liability requires property owners, occupiers, or managers to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. If one of these parties is negligent in this legal duty by, for example, not providing adequate stair safety, they can be held liable for any resulting accidents or injuries.
How many people fall down stairs every year?
Every year, over 1 million people are hurt from falling down stairs. 60% of these accidents happened at home. 94% of these victims were treated and released from the hospital. However, the remaining 6% required hospitalization for further medical care. 3
What happens after an 18 wheeler accident?
After an 18-wheeler accident, victims can expect the trucking company and its insurer to try to settle the case. These parties will try to downplay the victim’s injuries and exaggerate the victim’s role in causing the crash. As evidence is uncovered, settlement talks will heat up. While most accident cases settle out of court, a ...
When the condition that caused the fall injury was a violation of local building codes, the property owner may be held answer?
When the condition that caused the fall injury was a violation of local building codes, the property owner may be held negligent per se. The law will presume that he or she was negligent and responsible for the fall because of the violation.
Who is entitled to compensation for a stairway fall?
Victims who have been hurt in a stairway fall are entitled to compensation from the party who was responsible for the accident. That compensation aims to make the victim whole by covering all of his or her losses that stem from the accident. Those losses include:
Overview
Watch your step before you tread onto a staircase as you don’t know what surprise it has for you. This is not just a warning but something we must always adhere to. Statistics record that falling down the stairs is the second most prominent cause of injuries after motor vehicle accidents, in the United States.
Common causes of falls in staircases
Slip and fall accidents are common in the U.S, due to various reasons. However, only certain causes make it more dangerous and lead to lawsuits.
Building codes to ensure the safety in staircases
The International Residential Code (IRC) is followed in building stairs for residential buildings in the U.S. It decrees that the stair raiser can be up to 7.75 inches. The minimum breadth must be 36 inches. The depth of the run should be 10 inches and with nosing. Without the nosing, the depth should be 11 inches.
Common injuries from falling down the stairs
Since we have to ascend and descend many steps during our lifetime, the chances of falling down the stairs cannot be eluded. What type of injuries can you suffer from a fall down the stairs? As we have seen in the statistics, fall down the steps can cause you minor as well as major injuries.
What Alarms the Need for Medical Attention
Not all falls need medical attention. However, getting a thorough check after a fall could save you from some unknown underlying injuries. Let’s see when the fall alarms the need for a medical attention. When you experience the following, never delay getting immediate medical help.
Can you claim for falling down stairs?
If you happen to fall down the stairs in someone else’s property like the landowners, commercial buildings or public entities, you can sue them for your injuries. As the owners of all these properties are responsible to build and maintain the staircases safe to tread on, they are liable for your sufferings.
Who are liable for your injuries?
Depending on the premises where you fell, the individuals, company or the entity that is responsible for your injuries will be held liable.
What does it mean when you fall down stairs and land at the wrong angle?
Fall down the stairs, land at the wrong angle = broken neck = DEAD. Fall over on the street, head hits the curb = brain haemorrhage = DEAD
Why did the girl fall backwards down the stairs?
She got out a chair to get something from a high shelf in the closet, lost her balance and fell backward down the stairs head first. It caused massive head injury, cracked her skull, and there was blood everywhere. Anytime you fall from a height higher higher than your height you run the risk of serious injury.
How to take stairs in 2 steps?
Follow these directions to take any standard size stairs in about 2 steps. Stand on top of stairs, put hands on both railings. Putting your weight on your hands, lean over the stairs as far as you can. Sliding your hands as far down the rails as you can.
How to get a good grip on stairs?
Stand on top of stairs, put hands on both railings. Putting your weight on your hands, lean over the stairs as far as you can. Sliding your hands as far down the rails as you can. Your feet on the top still, your body should now be leaning over the first 4 or 5 steps. Swing out and down.
What happened to the woman who had a closet at the top of the stairs?
She got out a chair to get something from a high shelf in the closet, lost her balance and fell backward down the stairs head first. It caused massive head injury, cracked her skull, and there was blood everywhere.
What causes a person to shake off a sprained neck?
Most likely from internal bruising and bleeding that the person didn’t see and tried to shake it off. Also, spinal chord injuries , along with neck injury, from landing in very bad positions causing these injuries.
What happened to the wife of the sailor who fell down the stairs?
One day, his wife fell down the stairs, hitting her forehead. She suffered from brain damage and didn't know who she was, etc.
What percentage of falls occur on stairs?
When to call a doctor. Fall prevention. Safe at home. Takeaway. Falls are among the most common causes of injury in the United States and the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries. According to a 2016 research review, anywhere from 7 to 36 percent of falls occur on stairs.
When to follow up after a fall down stairs?
If your fall down the stairs didn’t result in any serious injuries that required a visit to the emergency room, there may still be reasons to follow up with a doctor the next day or in the days or weeks after the incident .
What is it called when you fall down stairs and land hard on your butt?
That’s why this injury is sometimes called a slipped disk . A fall down the stairs in which you land hard on your buttocks can result in a painful butt bruise.
What to do if you aren't on a flat surface?
You should also try to get to a safe, comfortable space to wait for help. This may mean moving off the stairs if you aren’t on a flat surface.
What to do when you fall alone?
If you fall and you are alone in the home, there are a few things you can do: If you are conscious, but alone and unable to reach or use your phone, call out loudly for help. If possible, slap the stairs or floor with a shoe or otherwise make as much noise as you can. You should also try to get to a safe, comfortable ...
Can a fall down stairs cause a fracture?
In a 2013 study of fractures caused by falls down stairs, researchers found that the risk of a foot or ankle fracture was double that of a fall from a standing position. The study above also found that in addition to foot and ankle fractures, stair falls also pose substantial risk of fractures to your shoulder or scapula.
Do stairs cause injuries?
Common injuries. Many stair-related injuries don’t necessitate a visit to a hospital emergency department. They may need medical attention at some point, however. Stair-related injuries to your lower body are the most common injuries, followed by injuries to your head and neck.
