A slip and fall accident that results in injury can ruin your day, and possibly drastically change your life for the worse.
Next to car accidents, personal injury lawyers deal the most with slip and fall victims. Not only are these accidents quite painful, they’re also very expensive as they often result in high medical bills and lost wages.
Below are some of the most common slip and fall injuries:
- Soft tissue injuries. Most of these injuries are invisible to the naked eye. Sometimes it’s hard to know you even have one a soft tissue injury for several days or weeks after the fall. These can be some of the most difficult injuries to prove, ranging from tears in your tendons and ligaments to minor wrist or ankle sprains.
- Cuts and abrasions. Arm and leg abrasions are usually some of the most common slip and fall injuries, as well as hip and head injuries. Often, these types of injuries require stitches.
- Head injuries. Immediate medical attention is necessary if you fall and hit your head. Sometimes head injuries can result in bleeding, swelling, or even a loss of consciousness. Minor concussions can often clear up on their own, but a traumatic brain injury can be a lifelong devastating condition. Don’t just look at symptoms. If you have suffered a head injury, go see a doctor immediately.
- Spinal cord Injuries. A compressed or severed spinal cord can be life threatening and requires serious medical treatment.
- Broken bones. These can range from minor fractures to severe breaks that require surgery.
Slip and fall injuries can be an individual’s fault or negligence on the business owner’s part. Below are tips to try and avoid these dangerous accidents.
- Watch your step! Look for any debris or objects that may be in the way that could cause you to stumble.
- Pay attention to uneven surfaces that can cause you to trip.
- Adhere to any warning signs of wet floors.
- Watch the type of shoes you’re wearing. If the soles are worn, don’t wear them because you’re more likely to slip and fall.
If you’ve had a slip and fall accident, there can be statute of limitations as to how long you can wait before you file a claim. You’ll also have to prove fault on the part of the store owner.
If this has happened to you, you may want to consult a personal injury attorney to help you through this situation.