The unfortunate truth is that slipping hazards exist everywhere. Wet floors at the grocery store, damaged stairwells in a hotel and icy sidewalks in the winter are just a few of the slip-and-fall risks that you are likely to encounter.
If you experience a slip-and-fall accident under conditions that should be avoidable, it is important to know how to build a legal case against the liable parties. You can both prepare and protect yourself by familiarizing yourself with some of the common types of slip-and-fall injuries that can form the basis of a personal injury claim.
Broken bones
Slip-and-fall accidents can exert far more impact on your bones than you might expect. Elderly individuals are at a greater risk of suffering broken bones in a fall, but anyone can sustain this type of damage. Broken bone injuries in slip-and-falls commonly occur at the hips, ribs or at arms and wrists if you instinctively attempt to break your fall.
Spine damage
Spine or nerve damage is a real possibility if you fall on your back after a slip. Damage to the spine or nerves can lead to long-term pain, numbness or even life-altering paralysis.
Head and brain injuries
Brain injuries can occur when your head strikes a surface during a fall, and sometimes even as a result of an impact on other parts of the body. Traumatic brain injuries come in many forms and may not be immediately apparent after an accident.
Seeking medical attention is always a prudent course of action after any fall, regardless of severity. You can pursue compensation for injuries that occur due to another party’s negligence, and you might secure coverage for future treatments if your fall results in a long-term condition.