A sudden slip and fall happens out of nowhere and sends the fall victim’s life abruptly off-course. As the fall occurs, the body is thrown off balance.
It’s a normal reflex to try to break a fall by throwing out the arms, often injuring the hands and arms. The victim of a sudden slip and fall accident may also hit obstacles on the way down.
The forceful twisting of an off-balance body can cause injury to the spine, while the impact on the ground or floor causes additional injuries.
When a property owner or business manager fails to take reasonable action to prevent those legally on their property from slipping and falling, they are responsible for the victim’s damages like medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
A Henderson slip and fall lawyer can help victims hold negligent property owners accountable and seek the compensation they deserve.
What Types of Injuries are Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents?
Falls cause significant trauma to the body, both from twisting and from blunt force trauma. Listed below are the most common injuries seen in slip and fall accidents.
Traumatic Brain Injuries:
When a fall victim suffers a head injury during a fall, the brain may bump or twist inside the skull resulting in a traumatic brain injury.
Depending on the severity of the blow, the brain injury may range from a mild concussion to a severe injury with life-altering impairment.
According to the CDC, falls are the second leading cause of traumatic brain injuries after car accidents. The elderly are most at risk for fall-related brain injuries but serious injuries can occur to those of any age.
Fractures:
Broken bones are among the most common slip and fall injuries, including both simple and compound fractures. Fractures of the limbs, hips, tailbone, ribs, clavicle, and spinal vertebrae sometimes occur from slip and fall accidents.
The elderly face the highest risk of hip fractures, often with life-altering results that sometimes lead to wrongful death.
Neck and Back Injuries
Injuries to the neck and back are common during a fall, including whiplash, cervical fractures, herniated discs, burst fractures, sprains, strains, and torn ligaments.
Neck and back injuries are painful and cause temporary or long-term disability. In the worst cases, a slip and fall accident can end in spinal cord injuries.
Soft-Tissue Injuries
Soft-tissue injuries include sprains, strains, and torn tendons and ligaments. During falls, these commonly occur to knees, shoulders, wrists, ankles, back, and neck.
Lacerations, Contusions, Abrasions, and Facial Trauma
Cuts, scrapes, and bruises are common in slip and fall injuries, with painful consequences and sometimes scarring.
Blunt-force trauma to the face can also cause facial and dental trauma, such as fractured orbital bones, cheekbones, and jaw, or broken teeth.
What Damages Are Recoverable After a Slip and Fall Accident?
Serious injuries cause serious consequences to slip and fall accident victims. These consequences are the fall victim’s “damages” in a personal injury claim.
A successful injury claim recovers damages such as past and future medical expenses, past and future income loss, and compensation for pain and suffering. In some cases, additional damages may be available such as compensation for disfigurement or diminished quality of life.
An experienced personal injury lawyer in Henderson with a history of success in slip and fall accident cases helps to maximize the compensation you can obtain in your claim.
Contact us at Bay Law Injury attorneys to discuss your options after a slip and fall accident.