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A recent New York Times article highlighted an alarming trend: deaths from falls among older adults in the United States are climbing at an unprecedented rate. In 2023, more than 41,000 seniors died from fall-related injuries, according to the CDC. That’s more than triple the number recorded three decades ago, with adults over 85 at the greatest risk.
Many experts are pointing to prescription medications like opioids, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and numerous others that can cause dizziness or drowsiness, which some doctors say have the potential to increase falls by up to 75 percent. In fact, within the medical community, such medications have become known as “fall risk increasing drugs” (FRIDs). However, while most experts agree on the risks posed by FRIDs, some argue that there are other explanations for the increasing death rate, such as longer lifespans leading to greater vulnerability to falls, or even shifts in how causes of death are documented.
Doctors and researchers are now urging more attention to “de-prescribing,” or reducing or replacing risky medications when the harms outweigh the benefits. Many believe that alternatives such as physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and safer prescriptions may lower fall risks without compromising quality of life.
If You Or a Loved One Has Fallen, You May Have Legal Options
Regardless of how a fall happens, one thing is clear: the impact is often devastating. A single fall can lead to a broken hip, a brain injury, or the loss of independence. These injuries can leave an older adult bedridden for weeks or months, putting them at serious risk of developing painful bedsores that can become life-threatening if left untreated. And for the loved ones of an older adult, that often means taking on caregiving responsibilities, arranging for rehabilitation, or facing the heartbreaking reality of permanent decline.
At Dalli & Marino, we’ve seen firsthand how preventable falls change lives in an instant, with many of them happening in nursing homes and other care settings where unsafe conditions and negligence can compound the risks older adults already face. Families should not be left to shoulder the emotional and financial burden alone when a fall could have been prevented.
Our firm is committed to holding negligent facilities and caregivers accountable, and to fighting for justice on behalf of older adults and their families. If your loved one has suffered a serious fall, we are here to help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you need to move forward. Contact us today for a free consultation.
