Why Falls Are the #1 Cause of Trauma Among Older Adults
Every second, an older adult falls in the U.S.—making falls the leading cause of injury and injury-related death for adults aged 65 and older. Falls: Leading Cause of Trauma isn’t just a statistic—it’s a harsh reality millions of families face every day. A fall can instantly change someone’s life, sparking urgent questions about safety, responsibility, and legal rights. When a fall happens—especially in a nursing home or public setting—families must quickly assess the risks, identify the cause, and determine whether they have grounds for a personal injury claim.
This blog breaks down why falls remain the number one cause of trauma in older adults, how they tie into nursing home neglect and premises liability, and what legal options you can pursue when negligence plays a role.
Falls and the Aging Population: A Widespread Crisis
Falls are the most common cause of traumatic injuries and deaths in older adults. Globally, falls account for more than 684,000 deaths each year, with adults over age 60 at the greatest risk. In the U.S. alone, 36 million falls are reported annually among older adults. Over 3 million are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries, and more than 1 million fall-related hospitalizations occur every year.
Falls can cause serious harm including broken bones, head trauma, and even death. And the impact doesn’t end with the physical injury—many older adults lose their independence and quality of life after a fall.
Common Injuries Caused by Falls
While not every fall results in injury, the ones that do can be devastating. According to the CDC, 1 in 5 falls causes an injury such as a fracture or head injury. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and more than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling, usually sideways. These injuries often result in long-term disability, increased medical costs, and the need for assisted living or nursing home care.
Medical Impact & Long-Term Outcomes
Recovery after a serious fall can be lengthy and complex. Elderly adults often require surgical intervention such as hip replacement or fracture repair, hospital stays followed by rehabilitation in skilled nursing facilities, home health care for medication management, wound care, and physical assistance. Many require physical therapy to regain strength and mobility or occupational therapy to relearn everyday tasks. In many cases, a fall leads to permanent changes in living arrangements, with the injured person needing long-term nursing home care. These outcomes increase financial strain and emotional stress for both the individual and their family.
Why Are Older Adults More Prone to Falls?
Age-related changes such as reduced muscle strength and balance, impaired vision and hearing, slower reaction time, and osteoporosis contribute to instability. Medical conditions and medications—especially when taking multiple prescriptions—can affect alertness, coordination, and blood pressure. Environmental hazards, both in the home and in public, such as poor lighting, slippery surfaces, or improper footwear, further elevate the risk.
The Psychological and Social Toll of Falls
The emotional impact of a fall can be just as serious as the physical injuries—especially for older adults. Many seniors who experience a fall, even without injury, develop a persistent fear of falling again. This fear can lead to reduced physical activity, social withdrawal, and a sharp decline in independence and quality of life. As mobility decreases, the risk of future falls increases, creating a dangerous cycle of weakness and isolation.
In cases where a fall results from negligence—such as unsafe conditions in a nursing home or public space—a personal injury attorney can help families understand their legal rights. At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, our fall injury lawyers advocate for victims of preventable accidents and fight to recover the compensation they deserve for medical costs, emotional distress, and long-term care needs.
Nursing Homes and Elder Falls: When Neglect Plays a Role
Falls in nursing homes are not always accidents—they can be clear indicators of nursing home neglect or substandard care. These facilities have a legal and ethical obligation to ensure a safe environment and to assess and accommodate each resident’s mobility limitations. When that duty of care is breached, the consequences can be devastating.
Common causes of nursing home falls include inadequate staffing, failure to respond to call lights, lack of proper fall risk assessments, poor supervision, unsafe conditions such as wet floors or poor lighting, and failure to provide mobility aids or assistance. Families often don’t realize that repeated or unexplained falls may point to systemic problems in the facility. If a loved one has suffered a fall in a nursing home, consulting with an elder fall injury lawyer may be critical to uncovering neglect and pursuing justice.
Signs of Nursing Home Neglect
Families should stay alert to indicators that a loved one may not be receiving proper care. These signs include unexplained bruises or repeated falls, sudden changes in behavior, fearfulness, or withdrawal, dirty bedding or personal hygiene neglect, unattended call buttons or delayed responses, and staff refusing or failing to explain injuries.
Falls in nursing homes aren’t always due to abuse, but they often reflect neglect. When care plans aren’t updated, fall risks go unaddressed, or residents are left unsupervised, families may have a legal claim.
Understaffing in Nursing Homes
When facilities are understaffed, residents may not receive the supervision or assistance they need to safely move about. Staff may miss critical signs of fall risk, such as dizziness or new medication side effects.
Legal Implications of a Fall in a Nursing Home
Falls in these settings may lead to a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Nursing homes owe a heightened duty of care to their residents. When they fail to meet that duty—by not preventing foreseeable harm—they can be held legally liable.
Premises Liability Law: Understanding the Legal Framework
Premises liability cases revolve around whether a property owner was negligent in maintaining a safe environment. Two key legal doctrines include constructive notice and the open and obvious doctrine. Constructive notice means the property owner “should have known” about a dangerous condition even if they weren’t directly notified—for example, a spill left on a store floor for hours. The open and obvious doctrine applies when a hazard is clearly visible and avoidable; however, exceptions exist, especially when vulnerable populations like the elderly are involved.
How It Works in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana
In Ohio, the open and obvious doctrine is applied strictly, but there are exceptions when the hazard was unavoidable or hidden. Michigan also follows the open and obvious rule but gives weight to whether the hazard was foreseeable and how the property owner responded. Indiana evaluates the injured person’s relationship to the property owner—such as whether they were an invitee, licensee, or trespasser—to determine the duty of care owed.
Proving Liability in Fall-Related Cases
Whether the fall occurred in a nursing home, retail store, or on a poorly maintained sidewalk, the core of any legal case is premises liability or negligence. Plaintiffs must typically prove four elements: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.
Legal Process: What to Expect After Filing a Fall Injury Claim
- Initial Consultation: Speak with an attorney to assess the case.
- Investigation: Gather medical records, incident reports, witness statements, and photos.
- Notice to Defendant: Notify the property owner or facility of the claim.
- Claim Filing: File a formal complaint (lawsuit) in the appropriate court.
- Discovery Phase: Both sides exchange information and interview witnesses.
- Settlement Negotiations: Often, cases settle before trial.
- Trial: If no settlement is reached, a court hears the case and issues a verdict.
- Appeals (if any): Either side may appeal based on legal grounds.
Injured in a Fall? Know Your Legal Rights
If your elderly parent or loved one fell because of unsafe conditions—at home, in a facility, or in public—you may have grounds for legal action. For over 70 years, Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault has stood by families throughout Northwest Ohio, Southeast Michigan, and Northeast Indiana, helping them pursue justice in slip and fall claims, premises liability cases, and nursing home negligence.
Our experienced fall injury attorneys know how devastating these incidents can be for older adults. We take swift action to investigate the circumstances, collect evidence, and hold the responsible parties accountable. From dealing with insurance companies to fighting for full compensation, we work to protect your loved one’s health, dignity, and future.
Proudly serving clients in Toledo, Defiance, Fremont, Findlay, Lima, Mansfield, Maumee, Sandusky, Monroe, MI, and throughout Northeast Indiana.
Let Us Help You After a Fall
A fall shouldn’t rob your loved one of their independence—or their dignity. If you believe a fall could have been prevented, our Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawyers are here to help. Contact Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault today for a free consultation. Call us at 419-843-6663 or fill out our secure online form to get started. There’s no cost to speak with our team—and no fee unless we win your case.
Drew became a member of Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault in 2008 and has dedicated 39 years to the practice of law, specializing in personal injury, medical malpractice, and insurance bad faith claims. He holds licenses in both Ohio and Michigan and has successfully represented clients in a variety of legal settings, including U.S. District Courts, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Claims Court. Drew is widely regarded for his unwavering commitment to seeking justice on behalf of his clients and rectifying the injustices they have faced.
