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When someone gets into a slip and fall accident (also known as a trip and fall accident), there is a chance that they could be seriously injured, requiring immediate medical attention. Depending on the severity of these injuries, it could even lead to long-term health problems, especially for elderly victims and those with certain disabilities. Here are seven of the most common injuries seen in slip and fall accidents:
- Cuts and scrapes
- One of the most common types of injuries people suffer are cuts and scrapes, or lacerations and abrasions as they are more formally known. Most of these injuries are relatively simple to treat, but some particularly severe cuts and scrapes can require medical attention. Even minor injuries can also be at risk of infection, leading to further complications.
- Bone fractures
- It is not uncommon for people in slip and fall accidents to suffer bone fractures due to their fall. These range from relatively minor fractures that can heal in a few weeks, to full breaks that can require surgery to repair. Even a small fracture can require a visit to the doctor, however, and impair a person’s ability to function normally while they recover, in order to avoid making the injury worse.
- Muscle strain and sprains
- People who suffer slip and fall accidents also commonly suffer muscle strain and sprains. These involve putting unusual amounts of stress on a person’s muscles, ligaments, or tendons, causing them to stretch or tear. These painful injuries can take as much time to recover as a broken bone, and especially severe muscle damage may require surgical intervention to avoid permanent disability.
- Neck and back injuries
- Slip and fall accidents also commonly injure people’s backs and necks, causing significant pain and discomfort. Often, this also involves damage to a person’s spine, and if the spinal cord is damaged, it can cause significant, long-term motor impairment. Even when it is not that severe, however, it can substantially affect a person’s quality of life while they recover from their injury.
- Hip injuries
- People who suffer falls also tend to injure their hips, depending on how they fall. This can not only harm the hip bone itself, but also the hip joint, affecting a person’s ability to walk. Elderly victims are especially vulnerable to this kind of injury, and may require a hip replacement if the joint is significantly damaged.
- Knee and shoulder injuries
- Knees and shoulders are also commonly injured when people suffer slip and fall accidents. As with damage to the hip, any harm to a person’s knees or shoulders can cause bone fractures, as well as potentially harm the joint. When this happens, it can lead to potential long-term health issues, including issues moving the damaged area long after the original injury has healed.
- Concussions and TBIs
- Head injuries are some of the most dangerous types of injuries that people can suffer. Even a minor concussion can cause problems, and a more significant traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to long-term psychological and neurological problems. That is why you should make sure to get a medical examination after a fall, and speak to a personal injury lawyer about your potential options.
For more than 40 years, the Drucker Law Firm has been providing personal and quality legal services to individuals, universities, and corporations throughout the New York City and Tri-State area. We have represented three generations of clients in personal injury cases, as well as immigration and general litigation matters. If you have a legal issue related to personal injury law, please give us a call at (718) 458-1489 to schedule a consultation or visit our contact page.
