Slips and falls account for more than one million visits to the emergency room annually around the country. They are also the leading cause of unintentional falls among individuals 65 years and older in Florida.
While these accidents may seem minor, they can cause serious and debilitating injuries to the victim.
At Fetterman & Associates, P.A., we have successfully represented hundreds of slip and fall accident victims and helped them secure the compensation they deserve. Our Port St Lucie slip and fall accident lawyers can help you after an injury.
Common Injuries in a Slip and Fall Accident
Here, you can learn more about common slip and fall injuries and your rights after this accident.
Finger, Hand, and Wrist Injuries
If you are falling, it is only natural to brace yourself for impact or attempt to break your fall. This is the main reason that finger, hand, and wrist injuries are so common in a slip and fall accident.
These injuries are not life-threatening but are usually painful and can keep you from returning to work or participating in day-to-day activities.
Common injuries to your fingers, hands, and wrists include the following:
- Fractured or broken wrists, thumbs, fingers, and other bones in your hand.
- Injuries to your muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
- Cuts, swelling, and bruises.
Ankle and Foot Injuries
If you fall after tripping over a cord or cable, you may crush, fracture, or break one or several of the bones in your foot.
Other types of ankle and feet injuries that you can sustain in a fall include the following:
- Sprained ankle
- Torn or ruptured ligaments, tendons, or muscles
- Stress fractures
- Broken toe(s)
If you sustain a foot injury, standing, driving, walking, and engaging in routine, day-to-day tasks can make it challenging. Many foot and ankle injuries require extensive treatment and recovery time.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Sometimes, a slip and fall accident can cause a significant jolt, bump, or blow to your head. If this happens, it can impact the normal function of your brain and may cause a TBI.
These injuries can cause significant disabilities, paralysis, or cognitive, emotional, or physical impairment. Many victims who sustain a TBI require lifelong care. Some also slip into a vegetive state or coma.
Some of the symptoms of a TBI after a slip and fall accident include the following:
- Dizziness
- Headache that worsens or will not go away
- Vomiting or nausea
- Ringing in the ears
- Neck pain
- Slurred speech
- Numbness or weakness in the legs and arms
- Seizures or convulsions
- Dilated pupils
- Inability to wake up
It is essential to have a medical professional evaluate your injury if it is to your head. While concussions are mild TBIs, they can still lead to serious complications if not treated promptly and properly.
Herniated Discs
Slip and fall accidents are a top cause of herniated discs. The spine has discs positioned between the vertebrae or bones. Herniated discs occur when there is a problem with the rubbery cushion between your bones.
Spinal discs have a tough outer shell and soft center. If you rupture the exterior of these discs when you fall, the soft material in the middle can push through and press on or tear the nearby nerves.
Herniated discs can occur in your neck, upper back, or lower back. If the injury occurs in the lower back, you will likely experience buttock and leg pain. If the injury is in your neck, the pain will probably be felt in your arms and shoulders.
Common indications you are dealing with a herniated disc include the following:
- Stumbling and weakness
- Intense pain in your leg or arm
- Tingling or numbness in the affected area
Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury can occur if the trauma fractures, dislocates, crushes, or hurts your spinal cord or the nerves in your spinal canal. The injuries in this part of the body can lead to paralysis and other bodily function changes. It is estimated that around 28% of spinal cord injuries are caused by falls.
If you notice any of the symptoms listed below after a fall, it indicates a spinal cord injury and requires immediate medical attention. These symptoms include the following:
- Issues breathing or clearing your lungs
- Oddly positioned or twisted back or neck
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Extreme pain in the back or pressure in the back, head, or neck
- Loss of sensation, tingling, or numbness in the toes, feet, fingers, or hands
- Intense stinging or pain along your spinal cord
- Loss of coordination, general weakness, or paralysis in any area of the body
A spinal cord injury is viewed as a “catastrophic” injury. First responders should take special care to ensure they do not cause additional issues while administering treatment at the scene.
Some people who sustain a spinal cord injury experience incomplete or complete paralysis. They may be left unable to move their legs, pelvic area, or walk while maintaining control of their upper body. In other cases, the injury can cause quadriplegia. This is when all movement and sensation in the pelvis, trunk, legs, and arms are eliminated.
The severity of your paralysis depends on how seriously the spinal cord was damaged.
Let Our Slip and Fall Attorneys Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve
If you are injured in a slip and fall accident, you can recover compensation from the property owner or occupier if their negligence caused your accident and injury. Our personal injury lawyers can help to gather the evidence needed to prove your case and help you recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries. The first step is contacting our office for a free initial consultation.