Injuries sustained from slip-and-fall accidents lead to over 9 million emergency room visits annually and are the second leading cause of unintentional death. Recovery from a severe injury may require extensive medical care and physical rehabilitation. A slip and fall victim might die or become disabled and require around-the-clock care.
Researcher’s claim falls are a leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults. Falls are also a common hazard, especially in nursing homes where between half to three-quarters of residents fall each year – twice as often compared to those who live at home. Based on research, slip and falls are the most common variety of accidental injuries. They range from minor to severe and have a high risk of death if not treated immediately. The knowledgeable slip and fall lawyers at Salamati Law Firm in Los Angeles, CA have provided an important list of common slip and fall injuries to be fully aware of if you are victim to such injuries.
Soft Tissue Injuries
You might wonder how you can prove your soft tissue injury. It turns out that these accidents aren’t as apparent as a broken bone. You won’t realize it, but sometimes the pain doesn’t set in until days or weeks after falling. Soft tissue injuries range from minor sprains like an ankle or wrist to devastating tears and ruptures of tendons and ligaments. After a fall, it’s essential to seek medical attention. Soft tissue injuries do not give immediate symptoms and can lead you down the road to chronic pain if left untreated.
Head Injuries
Suppose you fall and hit your head, even if it is essential to receive immediate medical care for a moment. Minor concussions usually clear up on their own, but more serious traumatic brain injuries can permanently alter an individual’s ability to function in daily life. It is essential to visit your doctor after any head injury. It strengthens your case since it provides documentation of the damage, and this can increase your odds of a successful lawsuit if you decide to sue for compensation later on.
Cuts and Abrasions
Cuts and abrasions are typical of a slip and fall, but they usually aren’t as severe. The legs, arms, head, or hips might be injured by the fall, causing things such as cuts that require superficial treatment with maybe some stitches if needed. Cuts from slips and falls can look intense at first glance because it’s hard to tell how severe an injury is just by looking at it sometimes. However, these injuries tend not to cause any significant damage, which means there isn’t much need for more than superficial care, such as bandages or stitches when necessary, depending on the severity in most cases.
Fractured Bones
A broken bone is painful and scary. It could range from a minor fracture to severe breaks that require surgery, damaging surrounding tissues. A person may experience chronic pain or neuromuscular dysfunction if not treated correctly in the beginning stages of recovery. Even if a sharp fall does not result in a clear break, it is essential to see your doctor immediately. Also, if you take a sudden jump and feel concentrated pain in one bone or joints on either side of where you landed, head straight to the emergency room for further examination. Prompt medical intervention is critical to your recovery because broken bones can cause much bleeding and swelling over the first 12 hours and complicate treatment.