Georgia Injury Law Blog
Children, the elderly and -surprisingly enough – young adults seem to be at the highest risk of being involved in slip and fall accidents on stairs. Among young adults, women seem to be at a higher risk of personal injuries in such accidents.
These findings come from a new study, and while the fact that young children and the elderly are at a greater risk of falling should not come as a surprise, the inclusion of young adults in their twenties definitely raises eyebrows. According to the researchers, children below the age of 3 and elderly people above the age of 85 have the highest risk of suffering personal injuries in a fall on stairs. However, young adults in their twenties also have a significantly higher risk of being involved in slip and fall accidents.
Among young adults in their twenties, young women seem to have a higher slip and fall risk compared to males. The researchers analyzed the results of the study to understand the reasons for the higher fall risks involving females. They believe that inappropriate footwear could probably be a reason why young women are more likely to fall down stairs compared to males. The researchers specifically identify flip flops, sandals and heels as being inappropriate footwear that increase the risks of a fall down the stairs. They also believe that women are more likely to be walking with someone which means they are more likely to be talking and, therefore, distracted.