We’ve all slipped and fallen at some point in our lives, and kids lose their balance and fall on a regular basis. Often, we can get back up and keep walking with only a little embarrassment affecting the rest of the day. Not everyone is so lucky, however, as slip and fall accidents regularly cause injuries – and sometimes, surprisingly serious ones. Some slip and fall victims cannot walk away and instead, require extensive medical treatment and experience lasting effects of their accident. The following are only four examples of the many serious injuries that may stem from a slip and fall.
Concussion – A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that usually occurs due to head trauma. When someone suddenly falls, they may easily hit their head on a nearby object or the ground, resulting in damage to the brain tissue. Even though a concussion is medically categorized as a “mild” TBI, this injury requires medical attention and can have cognitive and physical effects for weeks, often keeping a victim from working or attending school.
Fractures – Many slip and fall victims fracture bones, such as a wrist or elbow from trying to catch themselves as they fell. The tailbone can be fractured from landing on the ground. If a slip and fall happens on the stairs, many people can fracture feet and ankles. Senior adults have a particularly high risk of fracturing a hip when they fall, and such falls are the leading cause of fractured hips in older adults in the United States. Such fractures often require surgery and long recovery times.
Soft tissue injury – When you slip and fall, your body may twist or stretch in unusual ways as you try to catch yourself. This often leads to soft tissue injuries, including sprains, strains, or tears in your tendons, ligaments, or muscles. These injuries can be painful, limit movement, and often require a course of physical therapy to heal. In some cases, surgery is necessary to repair a soft tissue tear.
Spinal cord injury – The spinal cord is a major part of your back, and trauma to the spine can be common when someone slips and falls on their back. Spinal cord injuries can vary in severity, but all spinal injuries need immediate medical assistance to prevent further complications. Serious damage to the spinal tissue can even result in temporary or permanent paralysis.
Many slip and fall victims incur medical bills, miss work, and experience pain and suffering as a result of their injuries. It is important to recognize when a business, store, or property owner was negligent in causing the fall to occur, so that you can seek compensation for your losses.
Find Out How a Huntington Beach Slip and Fall Lawyer Can Help
The Law Offices of Brent W. Caldwell can evaluate what caused your slip and fall accident and advise you of your legal rights and options. If you would like to discuss your situation for free, please call our Huntington Beach personal injury law firm at (714) 625-8914 or contact us online today.
