3 common injuries after a slip-and-fall accident

Millions of emergency room visits are due to slip-and-fall accidents. Recovery from a slip or fall may lead to disability or death depending on the severity of the accident. Slip-and-fall accidents are especially harmful to older adults.  

Preventing slip-and-fall accidents should be a priority both at home and in public spaces since they are likely to cause severe injury.

1. Head injuries

Falls are one of the leading causes of unintentional injury deaths. One of the reasons is that head injuries are serious. You could sustain a skull fracture or traumatic brain injury. It can take months of therapy to relearn simple daily tasks and you may never be the same again. Head injuries disproportionately affect children and older adults. 

2. Back and spinal cord injuries

Slip-and-fall accidents result in your full body weight hitting the floor or your surroundings. This impact may fracture vertebrae or cause other back injuries. A spinal cord injury is especially serious since it could lead to paralysis or other neurological issues. Back and spinal cord injuries are most common in adults 65 or older. 

3. Hip fractures

Hip fractures are very common after slip-and-fall accidents. Hip fractures occur when there is a break in the upper area of the femur. They occur most commonly in older people since their bones are weak due to osteoporosis. They are very painful and often require surgical treatment.  

During fall and winter, it is essential that you be careful walking indoors or on slippery surfaces. If you have a slip-and-fall accident due to someone else’s negligence, contact an experienced slip-and-fall attorney to get the damages you need to move on after an injury.