Common Types of Slip and Fall Injuries

While slip and fall injuries vary from person to person depending on the circumstances that led up to the accident, many victims suffer similar fall injury symptoms. Here are the types of injuries that most commonly result from a slip and fall.

1. Broken Bones

Broken bones often occur after a fall, especially in elderly accident victims or those with osteoporosis. When the fall applies enough pressure or force on the bones, the result can be bone fractures in several areas of the body, including:

• Hip fractures
• Broken arms
• Broken legs
• Fractured ribs
• Broken wrists

Bone fractures are often painful and restrictive with a long recovery process. However, you may have the right to financially recover the cost of medical care with a personal injury claim.

2. Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injury can occur in a fall whether or not your head hits the ground. Even when the brain receives a jolt without direct impact, you can face serious harm. A traumatic brain injury can be dangerous after a slip and fall because you may not realize the severity of the injury.

If you don’t recognize and treat a traumatic brain injury, you can have secondary injuries that are even more serious than the first brain trauma. When a traumatic brain injury is left untreated, you can continue to have pain for months. You may need to work with a specialist to identify and evaluate this type of injury.

3. Soft Tissue Injuries

Even when fall victims don’t break bones, they can still sustain painful and serious harm in the form of soft tissue injuries. These types of injuries occur in other parts of the body that are not bones or internal organs, such as:

• Muscles
• Ligaments
• Tendons

Fall injury symptoms from soft tissue injuries¹ may include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Permanent tissue damage

4. Sprained Ankles or Wrists

During a fall, you might make an unusual or uneven step. You might also put your arms out to try and cushion the fall. When the ligaments in your wrist or ankles tear during a fall, you may receive a sprain or a strain. Ligaments don’t receive a lot of blood, so sprains and strains can take a long time to heal.

Even though it may not seem like a serious injury, an ankle or wrist injury can interfere with your life in a big way. You may not be able to type, cook, or button a shirt. With an ankle sprain, you may not be able to walk. Sprains are a common problem after a slip and fall, and they can create significant problems for victims.

5. Knee Injuries

Knee damage can result from a slip and fall because you may twist as you fall. Knees are a complicated collection of bone and ligaments. When you hurt your MCL or your ACL, it can take a long time to heal.

In addition to ligament tears, you may also dislocate your patella. You may need knee reconstruction immediately or in the future.

6. Dislocated Shoulders

When falling unexpectedly, it’s common to land on your shoulder or hit it on something as you fall. This can often lead to a shoulder dislocation², or when the upper arm bone pops out of the shoulder blade socket. Because the shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body, it is more susceptible to become dislocated during a slip and fall accident.

7. Spine and Nerve Damage

Back injury from falls can be particularly damaging to the body. Spinal and nerve damage can lead to:

• Intense pain
• Weakness
• Tingling
• Numbing
• Paralysis (in extreme cases)

Spinal cord injuries are often considered catastrophic injuries because they permanently alter a person’s way of life. When this happens from a slip and fall accident, you may be able to claim compensation for future medical care as well as current hospital expenses.

8. Cuts and Bruises

A cut or bruise can result from any kind of external or internal damage during a fall. Even though a cut may not seem serious, disfigurement is considered a significant loss under Nevada’s personal injury law. It’s critical to take photos of cuts and bruises to document your injuries.

9. Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is an injury that can occur after a slip and fall. Ongoing pain that affects your ability to work, participate in activities you enjoyed before the accident, or permanently alters your level of mobility mean your life will never be the same. It’s crucial to work with an experienced injury attorney to hold the responsible parties accountable for these losses.