Sometimes when you fall down in public, all you suffer is a bruised ego. It can be embarrassing to trip and hit the ground in front of other people.
However, when you fall and can’t get up, you could be facing a debilitating injury that causes pain and suffering for many months. We take a look at the kinds of slip-and-fall injuries that frequently cause big problems.
Falls Can Do Serious Damage
As we go about our business in a store, restaurant, or movie theater, we're not really on the lookout for hazards. After all, it’s not like we’re hiking over dangerous territory and need to be careful about where we step. We have an expectation that the floor, stairway, or sidewalk is safe, so when there's an obstacle or slippery spot, we're not prepared. The shock of losing your footing can cause an overreaction that makes it hard to recover and protect yourself from injury.
Slip or trip and falls can cause the following injuries:
- Broken wrist, elbow, or collarbone. When you extend your arm to brace yourself in a fall, you can break bones from the wrist up through the collarbone. These are common fall injuries.
- Dislocated shoulder. The jarring impact of a fall can cause your upper arm to pop out of the shoulder socket. While dislocations can be repaired, the shoulder joint is never the same afterward.
- Slipped or ruptured discs in the vertebrae. Landing on your tailbone or directly on your back results in a bulge or rupture of the spongy discs between your vertebrae. The pressure this puts on the nerves in the spinal cord often creates debilitating pain.
- Bruised or twisted knees. Landing forward on one or both knees can cause irreparable damage to the knee caps, meniscus, or anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL. Sometimes, surgery and rehabilitation are required to alleviate some of the pain and restore motion.
- Traumatic brain injury. If you hit your head on hard pavement or concrete flooring, you could suffer a traumatic brain injury that permanently affects your cognitive or motor function. Even if your head doesn't make an impact, the sudden jerking motion of your neck could cause brain bruising or bleeding.
In the immediate aftermath of a fall, it's easy to think you're not seriously hurt. Nevertheless, see a doctor as soon as possible. Sometimes it takes a few days to develop symptoms after sustaining an injury.
A Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You Hold the Liable Party Accountable
If you fell on someone else’s property because of their negligence, you might be able to file a lawsuit for damages. When you consult with our personal injury attorneys, we can help you determine if you have a valid claim against a business or property owner for slip and fall injuries. Fill out our contact form or call us for more information.
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