A slip and fall accident may cause you more than just a bad day- it could very well turn your life upside down. These types of accidents often result in serious injuries, possibly leaving you with life-long pain and huge medical expenses. Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere at any time and personal injury lawyers file lawsuits for these types of accidents almost as frequently as they do for auto accidents.
Outlined below are the most common slip and fall injuries, ranging from minor to severe:
1. Abrasions or cuts
Slip and fall accidents often cause abrasions and cuts. These injuries can be severe, possibly leaving lifelong scars. Scrapes and cuts require, at the very least, surface treatment and, in some instances, even stitches.
2. Injury to soft tissue
These are internal injuries to muscles, tendons and ligaments and are sometimes difficult to prove in lawsuits. Many individuals realize they have soft tissue injuries days or even weeks after the initial fall. These soft tissue injuries include a range of minor wrist and ankle sprains to muscle tears and tendon and ligament ruptures. The injured often suffer chronic pain if these internal soft tissue injuries are not treated promptly. It is always advisable to seek medical care after a slip and fall accident.
3. Head Injuries
Even minor head injuries should be considered medical emergencies. If you have hit your head after a fall and observe swelling, bleeding, or dizziness, immediately visit a hospital. Regardless of how you feel, you should visit a doctor if you have hit your head; you should not take any head injury lightly as it can lead to severe complications if left undiagnosed. Additionally, a visit to the doctor provides crucial documentation of the injury, which will be necessary should you pursue a lawsuit.
4. Injuries to bones
Broken bones can cause excruciating pain to the injured. Bone injuries range from minor hairline fractures to significant and severe breaks that may require multiple complex surgeries. Post-surgery therapy can also cause extreme discomfort to the injured. Recovery can be a lengthy and very costly process.
5. Injuries to the spinal cord
Any injuries to the spinal cord are critical, life-threatening, and require immediate medical attention. These types of injuries are incredibly costly and can lead to millions of dollars in medical bills.
Slips and falls are often caused by acts of negligence by the property owner or people responsible for maintenance.
Common reasons for slips and falls include:
- Obstructions or spills on floors
- Wet or slippery flooring that has no warning signs
- Uneven concrete floorings or sidewalks
- Unsafe working areas, including poor safety precautions to demarcate regions of possible slips, trips, and falls.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a slip and fall accident call the experts at Bezaire & Associates for a free consultation today.
