A slip and fall accident is a popular type of premises liability accident. It is essentially a case where a person slips and falls to the ground while walking, standing, or doing something else on the premises they were on. Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere from parking lots to sidewalks and stairs.
The most common causes of slip and fall accidents are wet floors, icy surfaces, poor lighting, defective handrails, cluttered aisles, etc.
Depending on the nature of the accident, this type of injury can involve fractures, skin lacerations, and concussions. Sometimes, a slip and fall can result in serious bodily injury or death. Unfortunately, many slip and fall victims neglect to seek medical attention because they feel their injuries are minor. Even with minor injuries, you should always seek medical attention if you are injured in an accident.
A slip and fall accident could cause painful injuries like:
1. Facial injuries
Falls can lead to injuries to the face. These injuries may include cuts, eye injuries, and jaw and nose fractures.
2. Concussions and TBI
When slip or fall accidents occur, with facial injuries, there is also the risk of suffering from concussions or other types of traumatic brain injury.
A concussion is usually caused by the victim’s head hitting the hard ground. Concussion symptoms vary and may include headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and ringing in the ears.
3. Neck injuries
Common neck injuries like neck sprain, neck fracture, pinched nerve, whiplash, and spondylosis can result from slip and fall accidents. Symptoms of neck injuries are difficulty turning the neck, neck pain, stiffness, and muscle spasms in the neck and shoulders.
4. Spinal cord injuries
A spinal cord injury can be classified as complete or incomplete, depending on how much damage has been done. Complete spinal cord injuries may result in losing feeling and muscle control on both sides of the body. However, injuries at an incomplete level may retain some degree of sensation and muscle activity.
5. Severe cuts and lacerations
These wounds are usually caused by contact with sharp objects like broken glass, metal, or wood. They often require stitches or surgical sutures, which may leave scars.
6. Broken bones
Slip and fall accidents are very common causes of broken bones. The severity can vary depending on how far someone fell when they slipped.
The most common broken bones are the wrist, ankle, rib cage, and arm, which can lead to long-term problems with mobility and pain.
7. Knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, or wrist injuries
Slips and falls happen with no warning. Bracing yourself for a fall is perfectly natural but can lead to injuries in the arms and shoulders. Several cases have been reported where people have slipped on wet floors and fallen on their arms or wrists. These injuries require treatment with RICE – rest, ice, compression, and elevation – to subside the swelling and speed up healing.
Tips on how to move forward after a slip and fall accident:
Inform the property manager
Contact the property manager who has a legal obligation to keep the premises safe. By doing so, you’ll be on the right path towards filing a claim and getting your recovery.
Ensure you have documentation that includes photos, complete medical records, and eyewitness contacts. These will help in dealing with insurance claims later on.
Get checked by a medical professional
If you’ve suffered a slip and fall accident, it’s important to get checked out by a medical professional. A simple injury could turn into something more severe if left untreated. A thorough diagnosis will give you access to the best treatment options. Also, don’t forget to ask your doctor for copies of all relevant paperwork.
Don’t accept any offer of settlement.
Don’t be fooled into accepting an offer of settlement from an insurance company representative.
Even if they offer you a settlement that seems fair at first glance, it is likely that they will not offer adequate compensation.
Seek legal advice
You must seek legal advice from an attorney specializing in personal injury law to provide you with the best options for moving forward with your case.
A good slip and fall lawyer will help you evaluate your case and explain every angle of your potential litigation options. They can also help determine whether you’re eligible for compensation for your injury. At Lionsgate Law Group, we have obtained many settlements for our clients. Contact us today at 800-454-5299 for a free consultation about your case.