What Types of Injuries Can Occur in a Slip and Fall Accident?
What Types of Injuries Can Occur in a Slip and Fall Accident?
Slip-and-fall accidents are common and can happen during icy weather, a spill in a grocery store, or on a flight of stairs. Over 8 million emergency room visits yearly are due to slips, trips, and falls. Many of these injuries are minor, but some can be life-threatening. If you’ve been seriously hurt due to the negligence of another party, you need an experienced and dedicated Salt Lake City slip and fall lawyer.
At Valiente Mott, our team will leverage our considerable resources to fight for your right to fair and reasonable compensation for your damages and losses. We are dedicated to helping personal injury victims. We are compassionate yet aggressive when protecting our clients. Call today for a free case evaluation.
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Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are common with slip and fall accidents
Traumatic brain injuries—or TBIs—can have long-lasting and complicated medical consequences. A slip and fall can impact the brain when a person’s head strikes a hard surface.
The most common type of TBI is a concussion, which occurs when the brain is jolted hard enough to cause damage. Victims may experience persistent headaches, ringing in the ears, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, dizziness, sleep disruption, chronic pain, and personality changes. A Salt Lake City slip and fall accident lawyer is your best resource to recover compensation for your losses.
Spinal cord injuries
Spinal cord damage is another serious consequence of some slip and fall cases. These injuries can result in paralysis in the parts of the body that are below the damaged portion of the spine. Rehabilitating spinal injuries is complex, and in many cases, the paralysis that results is permanent. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), “the two most common types of these injuries are incomplete tetraplegia and paraplegia, with incomplete spinal cord injuries accounting for more than 65% of all SCIs.”
Fractures and bone injuries
Bone fractures are common and will depend on the part of the body that absorbs the impact of the fall. In these accidents, the most commonly affected bones include ankles, forearms, and wrists. While anyone can suffer a fracture, these injuries are more common among young children and older adults.
Soft tissue damage
There are many ways that soft tissue injuries can occur during slip and fall accidents. They usually involve the ligaments, tendons, and muscles. These include sprains, strains, and tears. In addition, contusions, tendonitis, and bursitis are also common and are prominent around the ankles, wrists, and knees. Soft tissue damage is painful, but recovery is usually possible through physical therapy.
Cuts, bruises, and abrasions
Cuts and bruises are considered superficial but can result in permanent scarring and disfigurement. Prompt medical treatment is essential, as it can reduce the potential for scarring and the risk of infection.
Internal injuries
Internal injuries are as dangerous as they are challenging to detect. The impact from a fall alone is enough to damage internal organs. However, some of the most severe injuries occur when fractured bones cause punctures, such as to the lungs. The risk of internal bleeding is significant, and medical treatment should be sought immediately.
Tips to avoid slip and fall accidents
Here are some suggestions to avoid slips and falls, which include the following:
- Pay attention to where you walk
- Always wear appropriate footwear for the weather
- Be mindful of your surroundings
- Watch for obvious hazards such as oil spills in a parking garage or defective stair railings.
Finally, ensure that all walkways, stairs, and lobbies are clear of anything that might be a tripping hazard, such as wires, boxes, bags of garbage, and other clutter.
Schedule a free case evaluation with Valiente Mott
If you were injured in a slip and fall due to the negligence of another party, now is the time to seek help. Our Salt Lake City slip and fall attorneys are ready to build a strong case and fight for your right to recover damages due to your injuries. Schedule a free consultation so we can answer your questions and assess your case. There is no obligation to hire us, and since we work on a contingency basis, there are no upfront legal fees.