Many slip-and-fall incidents are simply embarrassing. The person who falls doesn’t sustain major injuries. However, it is possible for people to incur serious injuries because they lose their traction and fall in a public location. Approximately a million people each year need treatment at emergency rooms because of slip-and-fall injuries.
In such scenarios, the injured person may need to pursue a premises liability lawsuit against a negligent property owner or business. In some cases, people may overlook the early warning signs of a significant injury after a slip-and-fall. They need to be aware of what types of injuries they could sustain to better evaluate themselves.
What types of serious injuries may follow a slip-and-fall?
1. Fractures or broken bones
People can hit their arms or legs on furniture, fixtures or the floor as they fall. Many people try to slow themselves in a slip-and-fall situation. Their attempts to brace might actually lead to them breaking an arm or a collarbone.
Fractures often respond well to treatment. Still, they can result in people missing weeks of work and requiring thousands of dollars in medical care. Older adults who fall may be particularly vulnerable and at risk of long-term health consequences.
2. Soft tissue injuries
When people tense up and flail to stop a fall, they may cause soft tissue injuries. People can overexert themselves in a slip-and-fall and end up dealing with soft tissue injuries that persist for weeks after the incident. As with broken bones, soft tissue injuries may prevent people from working and may cause significant medical expenses.
3. Traumatic brain injuries
The worst possible outcome in a slip-and-fall involves someone hitting their head. People who fall and strike their heads may sustain traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). It can be difficult for people to identify a brain injury, as symptoms can take several days to develop.
TBIs have the potential to cause permanent medical challenges and functional limitations. They often do not respond to treatment. The only option may be to prevent the injury from worsening as bleeding or swelling persists after the initial trauma.
The possibility of a serious injury manifesting after a slip-and-fall makes reporting the incident to the building manager or business owner a smart decision. Requesting compensation after a slip-and-fall may require a premises liability lawsuit. Evidence that the slip-and-fall occurred at the business and evidence of the medical consequences it generated can help people strengthen their claims. A successful lawsuit may help people cover lost wages and medical expenses caused by unsafe property conditions.