Slip and fall accidents can cause serious injures and harm to victims and may wet or wintry weather but can also take place in the victim’s local grocery store. Personal injury legal protections can help injured victims recover compensation for their injuries but it is helpful to understand the different types of injuries slip and fall accidents can cause. Following are some common slip and fall injuries.
Sprains and strains injuries
Sprain and strain injuries impact the soft tissues of the body such as the ligaments, tendons and muscles. Sprains directly impact ligaments and strains directly impact muscles and tendons. All can be painful and serious injuries that commonly occur to the wrists and ankles in a slip and fall accident.
Fractures and broken bone injuries
The National Floor Safety Institute reports that one in 20 falls results in a fracture or broken bone of some type. Some breaks can be severe and the nature and extend of the fracture or broken bone, or bones, can impact the victim’s recovery process considerably.
Back and spinal injuries
Slip and fall accidents result in approximately 31% of all new spinal cord injuries each year. As such, slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of spinal injuries in the nation. Herniated, compressed or slipped discs in the back can be common slip and all injuries. Additionally, slip and fall accidents can result in fractured vertebrae which can cause pressure on the spinal cord. In addition to being painful, this condition can potentially lead to paralysis. Back and spinal injuries can be exceptionally painful and, of course, may impact mobility significantly for some victims.
Head and brain injuries
If the victim’s head makes contact with ground before any other part of their body this can result in a serious head or brain injury. These are the most serious type of slip and fall accident injuries when they occur. Head and brain injuries can worsen over time. Because the full extent of a head or brain injury may not be immediately obvious, they can also go untreated in some circumstances. It is important to seek medical attention for a possible head or brain injury following a slip and fall accident.
Slip and fall accident injuries can be serious and may be complicated and costly to treat. For that reason, a personal injury claim for damages can potentially help victims with their physical, financial and emotional damages when negligence, such as the negligence of a property owner, led to the harm they suffered.