Did you know that one out of five falls can cause a severe injury? People are injured daily from falls in their workplaces, homes, and commercial properties.
Unfortunately, falls can be associated with a wide variety of injuries.
So, what are the most common slip and fall injuries? And how do you know if you need to hire a slip and fall lawyer?
If you want to learn the answer to these questions, and more, you’re in the right place.
In this guide, we’ll be going over some of the most common fall-related injuries. That way, you can get a better idea of whether or not you want to press charges against those responsible. Let’s get started!
Broken Bones
Broken bone injuries can range from minor fractures to potentially life-threatening breaks. Many cases of broken bones require long-term rehabilitation before they can heal properly.
If your leg or arms are broken, this can prevent you from doing your job. When you combine these lost wages with expensive medical bills, it’s easy to see why people with broken bones often seek damages for them.
Some say that if you can move your joint, your bone isn’t broken.
However, this isn’t true. In many cases, broken bones can go undetected for weeks or months. The only way to determine if you have a broken bone from a slip and fall is to get an x-ray done.
Head Injuries
If you hit your head in a slip-and-fall accident, it’s vital that you seek medical attention right away. This is especially true if you lose consciousness or if there is noticeable swelling and bruising around the head.
Minor head injuries include things like concussions. While these typically clear up on their own, you should still get them checked out just to be safe. More severe slips and falls can cause traumatic brain injuries.
These types of injuries can permanently change the way you function. They can also require extensive physical therapy to get back to a place once considered normal.
If you suffered a serious head injury from your slip and fall, you should always consider legal action.
Spinal Cord Injuries
If you fall a set of stairs, there’s a chance your spinal cord could become compressed or severed. These types of injuries are life-threatening, and if they’re serious enough, they can result in paralysis.
The closer the injury occurs to your neck, the more extensive the damage will likely be. Dealing with the hospital bills and rehabilitation costs that come with being paralyzed can result in millions of dollars worth of debt.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries include things like sprained ankles, torn tendons, and nasty sprains. Unfortunately, these types of injuries can be difficult to prove if you pursue personal injury settlement.
That’s because they aren’t visible from the outside of the body. However, if left untreated, these types of injuries can cause chronic pain in people.
Cuts, Abrasions, and Bruises
Cuts, abrasions, and bruises are typically the least serious slip and fall injuries. Most of the time, they’ll heal on their own. However, serious causes may require stitches to stop the bleeding.
If a major vein or artery is severed in the fall, it can turn life-threatening if you don’t receive medical attention. However, there typically needs to be glass or sharp objects involved for this to happen.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Injuries
Many people never pursue personal injury cases for their slip and fall injuries because they feel responsible. While it’s true that you might be partially responsible for your injury, it’s common for slips and falls to be related to the negligence of others.
Specifically, the owner of the commercial property or your employer. For example, maybe you were walking through a grocery store and slipped on debris left out in the aisle.
Or you slipped on a wet floor that wasn’t properly marked. In these cases, it’s up to the grocery store manager to ensure that customers can have a safe shopping experience.
So, by creating a hazardous environment, they’re partially responsible for your slip and fall injury. The same goes for employers.
OSHA requires employers to create certain working conditions that reduce the chances of slip and fall accidents. So, if your employer either knowingly or unknowingly ignored these conditions, they need to be held accountable.
Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Determining who’s liable in a slip and fall accident can be challenging. However, if you have even the slightest suspicion that the property manager failed to create a safe environment, you should meet with a personal injury lawyer.
Specifically, you should look for one that’s an expert in slip and fall cases. Describe the nature of the accident and your injuries to them in as much detail as possible.
You should expect to answer a lot of detailed questions about the accident. Everything, from the shoes you wore to how you fell down, can be used to prove liability.
From there, your personal injury lawyer should investigate the conditions in the area you fell. If they find that the property manager ignored safety hazards or inspections, you have a case on your hand.
That being said, proving liability can sometimes be a challenge. So, don’t be surprised if you need to gear up for a serious legal fight to get the compensation you deserve.
Injured In Birmingham? Contact Collins Law, LLC
We hope this article helped you answer the questions, What are the most common slip and fall injuries? If you think you might have a personal injury case, the next step is to find a qualified lawyer.
Unfortunately, that can be easier said than done, especially if you live in areas like Birmingham and Huntsville, AL.
Luckily, Collins Law, LLC is ready to step up to the plate for you. We know that both the injuries and the injustice of a situation can prevent you from moving on.
That’s why we do everything in our power to get you the verdict that you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.