Fall incidents are among the leading causes of personal injury in residential areas, people’s workplaces, and commercial premises. Such accidents look small and unimportant but cause severe harm that alters your daily life. 

Understanding the usual types of slip and fall injuries, their causes, and the steps to take after the accident, more awareness will help you recover faster and protect your legal entitlements.

This article will also discuss the various types of harm caused by slip-and-fall accidents, what to do after a fall, and how to prevent such accidents.

Ways to experience slip and fall accidents

Even though several things cause slips and falls, hazardous surroundings are the leading cause. The most common causes include:

Wet or slippery floors: Wet, oily, and loose mats on the floor tend to make people slip and lose their balance.

Uneven surfaces: Everyday defects can be observed on roads, such as broken sideways, or on floors, such as loose floorboards or carpets.

Poor lighting: Hazards that may need to be seen when walking through a stairway or hallway that could be better lit are likely to be noticed.

Weather conditions: Coarse outer layers can become highly slippery, whether from rain, snow, or ice.

Cluttered walkways: Wires, boxes, or any other debris left on pathways in homes, workplaces, or other facilities is usually the leading cause of trip and fall incidents.

Common Head Injuries in Slip and Fall Accidents From Trauma to Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI)

Common Head Injuries in Slip and Fall Accidents: From Trauma to Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI)

Slip and fall catastrophe is one of the devastating effects of TBI or traumatic brain injury. 

When a person stumbles and consequently has to jerk his head forward, backward, sideways, or in any other direction, one may go from a trivial form of head injury, a concussion, to a severe head injury. Common complaints of TBI include headaches, dizziness, confusion, and memory loss. 

Severe cases generate physical disabilities, permanent mental disabilities, or, in the worst-case scenario, death.

How to Prevent TBIs:

Take a handrail whenever one is present, mainly on staircases.

Wherever possible, avoid slippery or wet areas of the floor.

See that sufficient lighting is provided in both the interior and exterior passages.

What to Do After a TBI:

If you suspect that you have a brain injury, look for medical help as soon as possible.

Analyze the situation of your fall for records if it happened on someone else’s premises.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Another sad effect, which is also life-threatening, is always the case whenever an individual experiences a slip and fall accident – spinal cord damage. 

Depending on the level of the injury, they can lead to paralysis and other complications in the future. 

The common symptoms of a herniated disc include back or Neck pain, numb or weak spots or tingling down the legs or arms, loss of bladder and bowel control, and the inability to move some parts of the body.

How to Prevent Spinal Cord Injuries:

Ensure that floors are free from obstruction and keep them as slippery-proof as possible.

Wear the correct shoe with a grip on the sole, especially if the ground is slippery.

What to Do After a Spinal Cord Injury:

Avoid moving the area as much as possible and go for treatment immediately.

Seek treatment from a specialist, including a neurologist and spine surgeon, when the symptoms persist.

Fractures and Broken Bones

Fractures and Broken Bones

The wrist, arm, ankle, and hip bones are said to be the most affected by slip-and-fall cases. Because elderly people lack strong bones, these injuries are common. 

A fall can be brutal for bones and, therefore, entail fractures requiring proper treatment for weeks or months.

How to Prevent Fractures:

Handrails should be used while ascending and descending stairs. Increase speed and use the slippery floors with appropriate shoes.

Daily exercise is recommended to prevent bone density and balance problems, especially as you grow old.

What to Do After a Fracture:

The affected area should be immobilized, and ice should be put on to avoid swelling.

Go to the doctor at once for X-rays and other necessary actions to be taken.

Soft Tissue Injuries

A slip and fall often causes a sprain or strain of the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that are a part of the soft tissues. 

These wounds, often on the ankle, knee, or wrist, may be superficial or deep. 

Of course, soft tissue injuries are not as critical as fractures to bones or spinal disorders, but they may evolve into chronic pains and restricted movements if treated irresponsibly.

How to Prevent Soft Tissue Injuries:

Get the body ready for any form of exercise so that muscles and tendons are not strained.

Since the wetness is problematic, non-slip mats or shoes should be worn when in the area to avoid slipping.

What to Do After a Soft Tissue Injury:

Acute signs and symptoms should be controlled using the RICE technique, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.

If the pain persists, seek professional medical advice as you consider the most appropriate course of action for treatment.

Cuts and Lacerations

If one puts their hand on a table and falls over, they can end up with cuts or lacerations because, for example, the table is hard or sharp. Most of the incidents involve cutting, and while the cuts are usually of minor intensity, central falls may lead to deep cuts that may necessitate sowing. 

The bruising and swelling of the nearby bodily tissues follow such injuries.

How to Prevent Cuts and Lacerations:

Do not overcrowd the sections of the house with areas for falls, namely, kitchens and bathrooms.

Wear aprons in dangerous areas of operations.

What to Do After a Cut:

The wound must be cleaned properly to avoid infections.

Seek a healthcare provider's service, especially if you need a stitch or a severe wound.

Hip Fractures

Especially among older people, slip and fall accidents frequently lead to hip fractures – a catastrophic event. 

Hip fractures, by and significant, need to be operated on, and they frequently involve a long period of rehabilitation and occasionally lifelong disability.

How to Prevent Hip Fractures:

If you are likely to fall, use a cane or a walker where you are when you feel like you are going to fall.

Take enough calcium and vitamin D for your body to build strong bones as you complete the activity.

What to Do After a Hip Fracture:

Dial an emergency number and only shift the injured person from where professionals once assisted them.

Ensure one complies with all physical therapy after surgery to regain mobility.

After a Slip and Fall Injury, Legal Aspects

After a Slip and Fall Injury, Legal Aspects

Slips and falls are frequently the result of omissions, such as people ignoring risks that are already known to them or neglecting that living premises must be safe. 

In the event of an injury from a fall, or if a loved one has experienced such an incidence, the following factors should be noted: Multiplying evidence, location, cause of the fall, and any witness.

You may need to consult a personal injury attorney to learn more about your rights and how to claim back medical bills, lost wages, and other issues. 

Many lawyers offer free consultations, which makes it easier to research your legal rights and devise a plan without spending a fortune.

Finalization

There is a high risk of slope and fall accidents associated with everyone, often resulting in serious injuries. Whether the incidences are due to direct brain trauma, fractures, or soft tissue damage, the effects can be chronic and disenable. 

Many injuries are preventable, and returning to work after an accident can be hastened by preventing falls and knowing what to do in the event of an accident. Always seek medical attention after falling, especially when the accident was the result of negligence. Also, seek the services of an attorney.

FAQs

The question is, what is the leading injury associated with slip and fall accidents?

The nature of injuries includes soft tissue injuries and fractures involving the wrists, arms, ankles, and hips, and these are the common ones found in slip and fall cases.

Can you sue if you tripped and fell on someone else’s property?

Yes, if the fall was the result of negligence, you are likely to consider making a claim under premises liability law.

What should I do when I get involved in a slip and fall?

Inform the property manager or owner of the fall, seek medical attention immediately, and document the incident. Get photo evidence of the scene and statements from witnesses.

How many days do I have to sue after the slip and fall incident?

While it is a legal prerequisite that every state has a specific period called the statute of limitations for filing personal injury lawsuits, the most common range is one to three years. The best solution that can be proposed for such a case is to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

Can a slip and fall lead to future health complications?

However, those slip-and-fall accidents may lead to complications that last for years or even for the rest of people’s lives, including chronic pain, restricted movements, and even some kinds of disabilities.