Injuries Commonly Associated with Slip and Falls
Michael Babboni
Premises Liability
Slip and falls are some of the most common personal injury cases there are; they often fall under the category of premises liability claims. Slip and fall is a term that is used for a case in which a person slips and falls and becomes injured on someone else's property. Typically, the property is owned and maintained by someone else which means that the owner may be legally responsible for the injuries.Proving Dangerous Conditions
Slip and falls often occur as the result of negligence like torn carpeting, damaged and broken flooring, poor lighting, and even wet floors. These cases also apply to people that are injured because of a broken sidewalk or a flight of stairs.
These cases may be difficult to prove, however, because you are responsible for proving that the injury was because of the negligence of another. The owner would have had to have somehow created the condition that caused the accident and know that the conditions were present and didn't take the necessary steps to fix the problem.
Common Injuries in Slip and Fall Cases
Slip and fall injuries even account for up to nine million emergency room visits each year according to the National Safety Council. One of the most common injuries sustained during a slip and fall is a head injury. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) as well.
TBIs may be a minor concussion that only requires some rest or it can be a much more severe injury that may result in ongoing seizures, mood changes, and even cognitive impairment along with a bevy of other symptoms.
Hip fractures are another common injury and the majority of broken hips occurred because of a fall. Many hip fractures also require surgery and hospitalization and then possible rehabilitation following the surgery.
Back and spinal cord injuries are also common and are a result of the impact the body sustains during a fall. This kind of injury can cause herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and can also lead to significant pain and limited mobility. More serious cases result in paralysis whether it is permanent or temporary and can also lead to other neurologic impairments.
Shoulder injuries such as a shoulder dislocation can occur during a slip and fall as well. This is a painful injury that also often requires surgery and physical therapy.
Finally, sprains and fractures because of slipping and falling are also common and can be as insignificant as a twisted ankle or sprained knee or as serious as broken bones and damaged tissue and joints. It all depends on the amount of impact your body takes during the fall.
Older adults are more likely to suffer from these kinds of injuries because of their age. Some of the more common injuries that fall into this category are injuries to the hips, spine, legs, ankle, pelvis, and arms and hands.
Common Causes of Slip and Falls
Even though it is possible to slip and fall due to your own negligence, there are still a few more common causes of slip and falls as the result of negligence on the part of the business or property owner.
Debris on the floor and spills are the most common cause including a floor that is excessively wet or a slick floor after waxing. Uneven surfaces or holes can also cause a person to fall and unsafe construction zones.
The failure to take the proper precautions in each of these cases is what leads to slip and fall accidents and injuries.