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Common Injuries from Slip-and-Fall Accidents

By Jason Bottlinger on November 20, 2024

Slip-and-fall accidents can lead to several types of injuries that cause serious symptoms, including chronic pain and loss of mobility. Understanding the causes of these incidents, such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, and poor lighting, is crucial in preventing them and seeking justice when they occur.

Overview of Slip-and-Fall Accidents

A slip-and-fall accident occurs when a person loses their footing and falls due to hazardous conditions on someone else’s property. For an event to be classified as a slip-and-fall, the victim must prove that the property owner was negligent in addressing a dangerous condition that led to the fall.

Slip-and-fall accidents arise from a variety of hazardous conditions. For example, wet floors are a frequent cause, often resulting from spills, rain, or not using proper warning signs after mopping. Uneven surfaces, such as cracked sidewalks or loose floorboards, also present significant risks. Moreover, poor lighting obscures hazards, making it a major factor in many slip-and-fall accidents because people are unable to navigate safely. Cluttered walkways also contribute to these accidents by obstructing paths, and broken handrails fail to provide necessary support.

Types of Common Injuries from Slip-and-Fall Accidents

Head Injuries and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Head and brain injuries are among the most severe outcomes of slip-and-fall accidents. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur when a person’s head strikes a hard surface. A concussion is a common type of TBI that requires careful monitoring. Generally, symptoms of a TBI include dizziness, headaches, memory loss, reduced cognitive function, and personality changes.

Fractures and Broken Bones

Fractures and broken bones pose significant challenges for recovery. Commonly affected areas include the wrists, arms, hips, and ankles. Hip fractures are especially prevalent among elderly patients who have been injured in a slip-and-fall accident.

Prompt medical attention is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment of broken bones and fractured bones. However, these injuries often require surgical intervention and extensive rehabilitation, which often lead to substantial medical expenses and long-term care needs. The impact can be debilitating, affecting mobility and reducing independence.

Back and Spine Injuries

Back injuries—such as herniated disks—cause chronic pain and significant loss of mobility. Moreover, spine injuries may result in partial or complete paralysis, with symptoms including loss of physical sensations and muscle control below the point of injury. It’s important to note that patients who suffer serious back and spine injuries may require a lifetime of assisted living care.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Often, the types of soft tissue injuries that result from falling include sprains, strains, and torn ligaments. These may affect areas such as the knees, wrists, and ankles. Such injuries can be deceptively severe, sometimes requiring extensive physical therapy.

Neck and Shoulder Injuries

Neck injuries from slip-and-fall accidents can vary in severity, ranging from minor strains to more serious conditions such as whiplash. This occurs when the neck is rapidly forced back and forth, leading to soft tissue damage. Symptoms of whiplash can include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and sometimes dizziness or blurred vision. Common treatment options are physical therapy, pain management, and immobilization to allow proper healing.

Shoulder injuries are characterized by pain, swelling, and limited range of motion. Some types of shoulder injuries include dislocations, where the upper arm bone pops out of the shoulder socket, and rotator cuff tears, which involve damage to the muscles and tendons stabilizing the shoulder. If someone suffers from a dislocated shoulder, they may experience immediate pain or the inability to move their shoulder.

Quickly identifying these injuries is crucial for effective treatment. An accurate diagnosis typically involves a physical examination followed by imaging tests such as X-rays or MRIs. Typical treatment options may include rest, ice application, physical therapy, and surgical intervention in severe cases.

Legal and Medical Steps After a Slip-and-Fall Injury

Seeking Medical Attention Immediately

Certain injuries might not show immediate symptoms, but they may worsen over time. That’s why seeing your doctor right away is so important—taking this step ensures that any injuries are promptly assessed and treated, thus reducing the risk of complications or prolonged recovery.

Obtaining medical evaluation also creates documentation that’s necessary for legal and insurance claims. Medical records provide evidence of the injuries sustained and the treatment required, which are essential components in proving the extent of harm suffered due to negligence. Any delay in seeking medical attention can undermine an accident victim’s credibility in legal proceedings, potentially affecting the outcome of compensation claims.

Filing a Slip-and-Fall Injury Claim

The process of filing a slip-and-fall injury claim begins with gathering comprehensive evidence, including medical records, photographs of the accident scene, and witness statements. Then, establishing negligence requires proving that the property owner failed to address a known hazard or a dangerous situation they should have noticed.

An experienced Omaha slip-and-fall injury attorney can help determine the rightful compensation owed for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Your lawyer will see to it that all paperwork is filed correctly and submitted within statutory deadlines.

Preventing Slip-and-Fall Accidents

Reducing common slip-and-fall hazards requires a combination of proactive measures and ongoing vigilance.

• For wet surfaces, prompt cleanup and the use of clear signage can alert individuals to potential dangers.
• Installing nonslip mats or flooring in areas prone to moisture, such as entrances and kitchens, adds an extra layer of protection.
• To address uneven surfaces, property owners should regularly inspect floors and repair cracks, loose tiles, or other flooring defects.
• Ensuring adequate lighting throughout the premises, particularly in stairwells and hallways, also helps prevent accidents by improving visibility.
• Removing clutter from walkways and keeping high-traffic areas clear of obstacles significantly reduces tripping risks.
• In outdoor spaces, timely snow and ice removal is essential to maintain safe pathways.

How Our Omaha Slip-and-Fall Accident Attorney Can Help

At Bottlinger Law L.L.C., we’re dedicated to providing you with the personalized support needed after an accident, and we’re always prepared to represent you in court should the need arise. Our dedicated Omaha slip-and-fall lawyer will analyze the details of your case and file a claim or lawsuit on your behalf. We’re also skilled in negotiating with insurance companies to help you secure the maximum compensation you deserve.

Call us at (402) 505-8234 to learn more about how we can help with your slip-and-fall case. You won’t owe us anything unless we win you a settlement.