While they are often discounted as minor events, slip and fall accidents can actually lead to catastrophic injury. And, they’re more frequent than you might think! In fact, according to the National Safety Council, falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death.
Whether you’ve recently suffered a fall or you’re just curious about protecting yourself, this is your guide. Keep reading to learn about the most common injuries associated with accidental falls.
Broken Bones
In a slip and fall accident, ankle, hip, and wrist fractures may occur. This is especially true for older adults, who may have lower bone density, putting them at a higher risk.
If you’ve taken a fall, it’s essential to see a medical professional for imaging. Even a hairline fracture can lead to serious pain later on!
Sprained Ankles or Wrists
These are some of the hardest to diagnose slip and fall injuries because they don’t show up on x-rays and may not even result in serious bruising.
Sprains and strains most commonly occur in ligaments, which are among the body’s slowest healing tissues. So, even if this injury doesn’t look serious to start with, it could become a major issue, preventing you from living and working as you normally would.
Knee Damage
Knees are a complex collection of bone and connective tissue, with numerous potential points of failure. And, they are particularly susceptible during a fall, as most people land face-first.
Knee injuries often require multiple types of imaging, checking for bone breaks and dislocation, torn ligaments and tendons, and damaged cartilage.
Shoulder Dislocations or Muscle Strains
If you try to catch yourself with your hands or slip on your side, you might impact your shoulder during a fall. Dislocations and serious strains to this joint are highly challenging to heal, often requiring surgery. So, it’s essential that you seek medical attention immediately if you believe an injury has taken place in this part of your body.
Spine and Nerve Damage
Your spine and its surrounding nerves are fragile and at high risk during a slip and fall. Damage to these delicate structures can result from impact, over-stretching, or cuts. In some cases, spinal and nerve damage can be treated – but it is often permanent.
If you are experiencing pain, weakness, or numbness after a fall, don’t wait to find a slip and fall attorney.
Traumatic Brain Injury
When you are injured in a slip and fall accident, damage to your brain can occur even if you don’t hit your head. In fact, even a firm jolt can, in some cases, cause permanent harm.
The best injury lawyers will immediately order cranial imaging, even if you don’t believe that you’ve suffered a head injury. This is because these hard to detect injuries often go undiagnosed until it’s too late, leaving permanent damage in their wake.
Cuts and Bruises
While they are among the least serious slip and fall injuries, cuts and bruises can last for weeks, leaving you in pain and potentially out of work. Be sure to document these injuries with photographs after a fall, and keep a close watch on any areas that aren’t healing properly.
What to Do After Slip and Fall Accidents
After slip and fall accidents, it’s essential to act fast. Hire an expert slip and fall lawyer as quickly as possible, and don’t wait to seek medical attention. Many of these serious injuries can go undetected, potentially leading to longer recovery times and prolonged pain.
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