The injuries most commonly associated with falls by seniors are typically bone fractures and head injuries. Spinal cord and other spinal injuries are also common – and serious. The majority of spinal cord injuries among seniors result from falls. The Mayo Clinic even lists being 65 and over as a risk factor for spinal cord injury.
Certainly, long, brutal New England winters increase the risk of slipping on ice and snow. Slipping on icy pavement can cause people to fall at an awkward angle, which can increase the chances of injury. However, falls that cause spinal injuries can happen any time of year, whether people are walking inside or out.
Serious health issues caused by spinal cord injuries
Seniors are more likely to suffer serious spinal cord injuries than younger people in a fall for a number of reasons. For example, they’re more likely to already have conditions like arthritis that affect spinal flexibility and cause the spine to narrow.
Among the long-term, permanent or even fatal health issues that a spinal cord injury can cause are:
- Paralysis
- Lung and respiratory conditions, including pneumonia
- Bowel and bladder control loss
- Loss of bone density and muscle tone
- Circulatory problems, including dangerously high blood pressure
- Sexual dysfunction
Further, as one Mayo Clinic neurosurgeon explains, “Falls in the elderly can be life-threatening, as their brains are not as responsive to healing….” Since seniors often have to spend longer in the hospital and then a rehabilitation facility than younger people after a spinal injury, they run the risk of developing hospital-acquired infections.
Like hip fractures, spinal cord injuries in seniors can lead to a downward physical and mental health spiral, even if the injury doesn’t result in paralysis. The pain and decrease in mobility can significantly affect someone’s quality of life – especially if they don’t have a strong support system of family, nearby friends or caregivers.
The importance of immediate medical evaluations
Not every spinal injury causes immediate loss of movement or even severe pain. If a person can get up and walk, they may assume they’re fine and expect to be sore for a while. However, serious symptoms of a spinal injury can show up later – and suddenly. That’s why it’s crucial to get a medical evaluation, including the appropriate tests and scans, right away after a fall.
If a property owner’s negligence is responsible for an injury, it doesn’t matter how old the victim is or whether they were injured more seriously than a younger person might have been. They still can and should be held liable for their negligence. The same is true for those who cause others spinal cord injuries under a variety of circumstances. Seeking legal guidance is a good way to get started.