A slip, trip, or fall can happen in a matter of seconds, but the injuries that result can affect a person for months or even years. Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and other serious conditions can result from a fall on a wet floor, uneven surface, defective walkway, poorly maintained property, or other dangerous condition.
Falls are also a significant public health concern. Learning about Indiana slip and fall statistics helps you understand the risks and injuries caused by falls. According to the Indiana Department of Health, more than 96,000 fall-related injuries affected Indiana residents age 65 and older in 2024. Those injuries included 80,926 emergency department visits, 14,420 hospitalizations, and 709 deaths.
The Indiana Slip and Fall Lawyers at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin understand how seriously a fall can affect an injured person and their family.
According to statistics, slips and falls are one of the most common causes of injury and are particularly risky for older adults in Indiana. The state’s 2024 data shows the significant impact falls have on Hoosiers age 65 and older:
The number of fatal falls among older Indiana residents has also increased over the past decade. Indiana recorded 391 fall-related deaths among people age 65 and older in 2015. By 2024, that number had increased to 709, the highest annual number and rate reported during the 10 years analyzed by the Indiana Department of Health.
Backed by statistics, older adults in Indiana face a particularly high risk of serious injury from falls. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 14 million adults age 65 and older, approximately one in four, report falling each year. About 37% of older adults who fall report an injury that requires medical treatment or restricts their activity for at least one day.
Indiana’s numbers demonstrate the seriousness of that national trend. In 2024, the state’s fall-related death rate among residents age 65 and older was 58.4 deaths per 100,000 people. A fall can be especially dangerous for an older person because a seemingly simple accident can result in a hip fracture, head injury, or other serious condition that affects mobility and independence.
Not every fall results in an injury, but when injuries do occur, they can be significant. Common injuries associated with slip and fall accidents include:
Falls are also a major cause of traumatic brain injuries. The CDC reports statistics that slips and falls lead to nearly half of TBI-related hospitalizations, and people in Indiana should be aware of these risks for severe injury.
Attorney Caleb Fleschner of Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin explains:
“A slip and fall can look like a relatively minor accident from the outside, but the injuries can be life-changing. We’ve seen how a fall can lead to surgery, extensive rehabilitation, lost income, and a long recovery. When a dangerous condition on someone else’s property contributes to an injury, it’s important to determine what caused the fall and whether the property owner or another responsible party may be liable.”
Slip and fall accidents can happen for many different reasons. Some common hazards include:
The existence of a dangerous condition does not automatically mean a property owner is legally responsible for an injury. Liability depends on the specific circumstances of the accident and the applicable Indiana law.
A fall can happen almost anywhere in daily life. Some common places where falls happen include:
Property owners and other parties responsible for maintaining premises may have legal obligations concerning dangerous conditions. Whether those obligations were breached, and whether that breach caused an injury, depends on the facts of each case.
Falls, slips, and trips are also an important source of workplace injuries in Indiana, and it is crucial to understand the risks people face at work. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 135 fatal occupational injuries in Indiana in 2024. Of those fatalities, 12 involved falls, slips, or trips. Indiana’s Department of Labor also reported that approximately 69,000 Hoosier workers experienced a nonfatal OSHA-recordable injury or illness in 2024.
Workplace falls can involve ladders, scaffolding, construction sites, elevated surfaces, wet floors, defective equipment, or other hazardous conditions. Workers’ compensation laws may apply when an employee is injured on the job. In some circumstances, however, an injured worker may also have a claim against a responsible third party. An attorney can evaluate the circumstances to determine what legal remedies may be available.
Now that we have explored the statistics and risks, let us discuss how to protect yourself after a slip and fall accident. If you are injured in a fall, there are several steps you can take to protect your health and preserve evidence.
Some serious injuries may not be immediately apparent after a fall. Seek appropriate medical attention and follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations. Medical records can also document the nature and severity of your injuries.
Notify the property owner, manager, business, or other responsible person about the accident as soon as reasonably possible. Ask whether an incident report will be prepared and request a copy when available.
If you are physically able to do so, photograph the condition that caused the fall. Take pictures from several angles and, when possible, capture the surrounding area as well. The condition of a dangerous surface can change quickly if it is cleaned, repaired, or otherwise altered.
Obtain the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the fall or observed the dangerous condition. Witness testimony can sometimes provide important evidence about what happened.
If you fell because of a wet, slippery, or defective surface, preserve the clothing and shoes you were wearing at the time of the accident. You should also keep copies of medical records, bills, photographs, correspondence, and other documentation related to the incident.
Whether an injured person in Indiana can recover compensation for the injuries following a slip and fall depends on the circumstances of the accident, and navigating the process alone may be risky. Potentially compensable losses may include:
Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system. The amount of compensation available can depend on the injured person’s degree of fault, among other factors.
Because premises-liability cases can involve complicated questions about notice, ownership, maintenance, causation, and comparative fault, an attorney should review the specific circumstances before a determination is made about whether a claim exists.
The statistics demonstrate that falls are much more than minor accidents. In Indiana alone, tens of thousands of older adults visit emergency departments each year because of fall-related injuries, and thousands require hospitalization. Hundreds of Hoosiers age 65 and older die from fall injuries each year.
For an individual victim, however, the Indiana statistics for slip and falls are only part of the story regarding the risks and injuries. A serious fall can mean surgery, months of rehabilitation, missed work, mounting medical bills, and a significant change in quality of life.
Attorney Caleb Fleschner says, “When someone is injured because of a dangerous condition on another person’s property, we want to understand exactly what happened. Identifying the hazard, determining who was responsible for maintaining the property, and preserving evidence can be critical when evaluating a potential premises-liability claim.”
Learning about Indiana slip and fall statistics is important to understanding the risks and injuries caused by falls. If you or someone you love has suffered serious injuries in a slip, trip, or fall, the Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin can review the circumstances of your accident and explain your legal options.
Our attorneys represent individuals injured in slip and fall accidents, car wrecks, truck crashes, motorcycle collisions, pedestrian accidents, and other types of personal injury claims.
If a dangerous condition caused your fall, contact Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin to discuss your potential claim.
Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin
N/a
The financial burden that often comes with a serious injury can be too much for many people to bear. Unexpected medical debt, damaged personal property, and the sudden loss of income can impact the budgets of most families. The good news is that a successful injury claim could help reduce that financial strain after a serious accident. Get in touch with a Terre Haute personal injury lawyer with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin to learn more.
Copyright ©2026 Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin,
