Common Types of Slip and Fall Injuries

What types of injuries can you get from falling?

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:

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.

What should you do after falling on someone else’s property?

When you’re injured after a fall on someone else’s property, there are several steps you should take to ensure your safety and that you get fair compensation for your damages.

• Seek Medical Attention – Seeking medical care is the first thing you should do. Call for help and make sure you’re stabilized before trying to leave.
• Inspect the Accident Scene – If you can, try to take pictures or make notes about the area where you fell. Did you slip or trip on something that should be there? Does the property have security cameras that potentially captured the fall? Are there warning signs?
• Report the Accident – Another essential step in the process is to fill out an incident report, which creates a record that the accident occurred on the property.
• Document Your Injuries and Recovery- You should also take pictures of the injuries you sustained after the fall and how they progress over your recovery time.
• Speak With a Personal Injury Lawyer – If your fall was the result of another party’s negligence, you may qualify to bring a claim for compensation.

How long do you have to go to a doctor after a Slip and Fall?

It’s vital that you see a doctor as soon as possible after a slip and fall. This ensures your injuries are documented and can be traced back to the accident. Try to seek medical help within 72 hours of your fall and follow your doctor’s treatment plan, which may involve follow-up visits, x-rays, or other diagnostic scans to assess the extent of the damage.

How to pay for car accident injuries

Even minor injuries suffered in a car accident can be costly. Unfortunately, you will likely have to pay for most medical appointments and procedures yourself³ while waiting for your claim to resolve. Be sure to keep track all medical expenses including:

• Doctor appointments
• Hospitalizations
• Medical equipment
• Medication
• Therapy
• Mental health appointments
• Surgery
• Home modifications
• Nursing home costs

Assessing these costs will be part of the legal process to ensure you receive adequate compensation to cover all your losses. 

Exceptions where you may receive money to pay for medical costs ahead of a claim include accidents in no-fault states, med pay insurance, or workers’ compensation claims.

Can I claim compensation for damages after a Slip and Fall accident?

When an accident occurs due to another person’s negligence, carelessness, or reckless actions, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your damages, including your medical expenses, ambulance transportation, physical therapy and more. If the property owner failed to exercise proper care and you suffered a slip and fall as a result, you deserve compensation.

How can a Personal Injury Lawyer help with Slip and Fall Injuries?

If you have been injured in a slip and fall, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. A qualified lawyer can help guide you through how to document your physical injuries effectively. Although slip and fall cases can be challenging depending on the circumstances, an attorney can offer the expertise required for a successful recovery.