Many people think of slip-and-falls or trip-and-falls as minor incidents. They assume that people who fall at the same level, instead of from a significant elevation, are unlikely to sustain serious injuries.
While many people do walk away from slip-and-falls with nothing more than a few scrapes or bruises, serious injuries are also possible. Underlying health issues, advanced age and even how a person responds to losing their balance can influence the likelihood of a severe injury. What are some of the more challenging injuries associated with slip-and-fall incidents?
Broken bones
When people fall, they can develop fractures from trying to catch themselves or striking nearby objects. Adults in their 50s and beyond are at especially high risk of breaking bones in a same-level fall.
Fractures generally require a minimum of eight weeks to heal. Sometimes, they may require surgery. They can generate major medical expenses and leave the injured person unable to work temporarily.
Brain injuries
If the person who falls doesn’t have a chance to brace themselves, they can hit their head when they fall. Blunt-force trauma to the head can cause bleeding and inflammation inside the skull. That damage can cause changes to the structure of the brain that may have permanent medical consequences.
Slip-and-falls can also cause soft tissue injuries, which can impede work ability and generate medical expenses. If negligent facility maintenance is to blame for a person’s slip-and-fall, they may have grounds for a premises liability lawsuit. Partnering with a personal injury attorney can help people recover their losses after a slip-and-fall at a store.
