The Most Common Slip and Fall Injuries and How a Lawyer Can Help

Common slip and fall injuries include cuts, bruising, and fractured or broken bones. These injuries can leave a victim struggling with long-term medical hardships.

Cuts and abrasions may look severe after a slip and fall accident, but they are usually less extensive than other types of injuries. Bruises are common and may hide more serious injuries beneath the skin.

Broken Bones

When someone falls, the bones in their body may fracture. This is because the body will often move to protect the head and other parts of the torso, which puts the bones under strain.

Fractures are treated with a splint, cast, or surgery to keep the bone in place and prevent it from moving until the break heals. Doctors can use a computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan to see how severe the break is and what tissue, like cartilage and ligaments, is involved in the injury. They might also use pins, screws, and plates to hold the bones in place if splints or braces can’t hold them.

Injurie to tendons and ligaments are also common in slip and fall accidents. They’re usually more difficult to treat than broken bones and can be debilitating. They include sprains in the back, knees, and neck. They can be hard to diagnose and might not appear on imaging tests.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord runs down your spine and is a collection of nerves. It forms a vital pathway for sending messages from the brain to every part of your body, allowing you to move and feel. If you fall and hit your spine hard enough, this could cause severe damage.

Spinal cord damage, which frequently results in complete or partial paralysis, is one of the most severe injuries from a slip and fall event. Those with a spinal cord injury in the lower region can still breathe unassisted and use their hands and arms. In contrast, those with spinal cord injuries at higher levels experience tetraplegia or quadriplegia, which means they have no movement below the waist and require assistance for breathing and bowel and bladder functions.

Suing a negligent party who directly caused your injuries can help you obtain compensation for your medical expenses and other damages. Contact the attorneys at Berry Law to assist you in understanding your rights and hold responsible parties accountable for their negligence.

Head Injuries

People may strike their heads on the ground or an object when falling. This can cause various injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These injuries range from mild concussions to skull fractures, hematomas, and other severe conditions that can lead to permanent physical and cognitive limitations.

Slip and fall accidents also frequently result in neck or shoulder injuries. These can include sprains or strains of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These injuries are often not detectable until a medical professional examines the victim.

Falls can potentially result in spinal cord damage. These are often the most dangerous type of slip and fall injury, particularly for older Americans with a greater risk of suffering from such catastrophic injuries. This type of accident can permanently alter a person’s life and lead to long-term physical and mental hardships, including the inability to work or spend time with family. These losses can be compensated for through a personal injury claim.

Bruises and Cuts

Although slip and fall injuries might seem like minor occurrences that lead to nothing more than scraped knees and embarrassment, they can cause life-altering trauma. The sudden, blunt trauma caused by falling can lead to tears, sprains, fractures, more severe dislocations, and brain trauma.

The impact of falling can also result in severe cuts and lacerations, often from contact with a sharp object or debris that you hit as you fell. These can be excruciating injurie and require medical attention right away.

A fall can also damage soft tissue, such as bruises and contusions. These wounds may not be as apparent as a shattered bone or a spinal cord injury and are brought on by direct damage to a muscle or a body part, such as the head or hips. Long-term physical therapy may be required for injuries causing numbness or tingling in the arms or legs.