Slip and fall injuries are among the most common reasons people seek assistance from personal injury attorneys. If someone’s negligence resulted in an injury on their property, the injured party might be entitled to compensation for their medical bills, pain and suffering, etc. Premises liability requires property owners or managers to ensure the safety of anyone on their property. When they fail to do so, they need to compensate the victim of their negligence accordingly.
However, it’s important to understand that the phrase “slip and fall injuries” is fairly broad. There are multiple different types of injuries a person might sustain as a result of a slip and fall accident.
Types of Slip & Fall Injuries
1. Head Injuries
Many people who slip and fall on someone else’s property suffer head injuries if their head hits the ground or another solid object. It’s also worth noting that people often don’t immediately realize they’ve experienced such traumas. Sometimes, the symptoms don’t present themselves until later.
That’s why it’s always important to consult a doctor if you hit your head as a result of a slip and fall accident. You may have been injured without knowing it. Additionally, if you did sustain an injury, you’ll want to work with a personal injury attorney to pursue compensation. Your case will be much stronger if you can demonstrate you sought immediate medical attention after your accident.
2. Soft Tissues Injuries
This is another example of slip and fall injuries that aren’t always immediately apparent. In some cases, slip and fall accidents result in such soft tissue injuries as sprains and torn ligaments. These may lead to pain, decreased mobility, and a range of other unpleasant symptoms if left untreated.
Again, this highlights the importance of visiting a doctor right away after a slip and fall accident. The fact that you don’t feel you’ve sustained an injury doesn’t necessarily mean you’re correct.
3. Spinal Cord Injuries
The long-term consequences of slip and fall accidents can vary in severity quite substantially. Some merely result in a little minor discomfort that goes away after a few days. However, there are also cases in which slip and fall injuries have a significant (and potentially permanent) effect on a person’s quality of life.
Consider the example of spinal cord injuries. Slip and fall accidents account for a large portion of injuries resulting in damage to the spinal cord. Unfortunately, in most cases, spinal cord injuries are life-threatening if the victim doesn’t receive immediate medical care. Even when a person survives, their injury may result in everything from long-term pain to paralysis.
That’s why premises liability is so important. The individuals responsible for managing a property must do all they can to keep those on their property safe. When they don’t, personal injury attorneys work to ensure they’re held accountable.
4. Broken Bones
Naturally, slip and fall accidents can easily result in broken bones. Although the bones may heal over time, when a victim is recovering, they may experience pain, they might not be able to work, and they’ll certainly need to pay for medical treatment. It’s important that the property owner whose negligence caused the slip and fall injury compensate them properly. No one should have to pay medical bills because they sustained an injury due to someone else’s negligence.
5. Abrasions and Cuts
Again, not all slip and fall injuries are equally severe. For instance, even though cuts and abrasions may look more severe than other types of slip and fall injuries, in most cases, they actually aren’t as significant.
That’s not to say they don’t require proper treatment. It’s still important for anyone who’s sustained cuts or abrasions during a slip and fall accident to seek medical care. At the very least, a doctor can help a victim address any pain they may be experiencing. In some instances, stitches are also required.
Premises Liability and the Importance of Safety
Again, slip and fall injuries are relatively common. It’s essential to exercise caution on any property. While the property manager should take the necessary steps to ensure your safety, you can’t be thoroughly confident they’ve done so. It’s smarter to always err on the side of safety.
Unfortunately, even if you do exercise caution, sometimes a slip and fall accident is unavoidable. If you’re injured as a result of such an accident, get medical attention, and contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss pursuing compensation. They’ll help you hold the responsible parties accountable.
