Slip and fall accidents are not uncommon, but the reality is that these incidents can lead to major injuries. Unfortunately, slip and fall injuries can lead to significant setbacks for individuals, and not just physical setbacks. These injuries and the subsequent medical treatment, along with potentially lost wages, can lead to financial difficulties. Here, we want to discuss some of the most common personal injuries that cause these setbacks after a slip and fall incident.
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow, bump, or jolt to the head that leads to the head or brain moving back and forth rapidly. This sudden movement can lead to the brain bouncing around inside of the skull, which can cause damage. A slip and fall incident could result in a person striking their head on other objects as they fall or on the ground. Individuals could also sustain more severe traumatic brain injuries depending on how hard they strike their head on a solid object.
Individuals could experience various types of sprains or strains when they sustain a slip and fall incident. Often, individuals try to catch themselves with their arms and hands as they are falling, and this could lead to a sprained or strained wrist, elbow, or even shoulder. In some cases, individuals could try to catch themselves with their legs before completely following, which could lead to sprains or strains of the ankles.
Lacerations and puncture wounds caused by a slip and fall incident often occur as a result of individuals trying to catch their fall. For example, if a person slips in a grocery store, they may try to reach out to one of the shelves to catch themselves, which could lead to them sustaining a cut injury or puncture caused by the metal shelf. Additionally, an individual could fall onto other objects on the ground or around them that lead to a cut or puncture wound.
Fractures or dislocations can occur in many of the same ways that a sprain or strain could occur, though these are clearly more severe injuries. Depending on the speed of the fall and the size of the person falling, landing the wrong way could end up with various types of fractures or dislocations. This can include all the arms, shoulders, legs, ribs, tailbone, hips, and more.
Whiplash occurs when the head, neck, or upper back are suddenly moved back and forth rapidly (like a whip). These injuries can result in significant upper back and neck pain for those involved. Other types of back injuries that can occur as a result of a slip and fall incident include movements that exasperate already existing back injuries, such as a bulging disc, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease.
If you or somebody you care about has sustained an injury caused by a slip and fall incident on another person’s property, we encourage you to reach out to a skilled attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer needs to examine your case, uncover evidence to determine liability, and help you recover the compensation you are entitled to.