Not all slip-and-fall accidents cause severe injuries or death; however, as the cliché goes, "you don't know what you don't know," which means you may not be aware of how severe your injuries are until you reach out to a medical professional after an accident. This is especially true if you slip and fall in Florida, a state home to many businesses, tourist attractions, and activity sites.
In fact, every year in Florida, slip and fall injuries are attributed to wet floors, uneven surfaces, and poor lighting. As a result, it is important to be aware of the types of injuries you may sustain if you slip and fall. Early recognition of symptoms can lead to prompt medical attention, making a significant difference in your recovery and providing valuable evidence during a legal claim.
Head and Brain Injuries
Head injuries are some of the most devastating injuries following a slip and fall. Depending on how you land, you might hit your head on the floor, furniture, or other objects. As a result, you might experience traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
TBIs can be concussions, or they can be a more serious brain hemorrhage or a skull fracture. You may or may not be symptomatic at the time of the fall. That said, if you have had a fall and hit your head, don’t assume you are fine, even if you feel fine at the time. One of the most significant risks of a TBI is that it can have long-term effects on your cognitive and physical abilities if it isn’t treated.
Neck and Spinal Cord Injuries
The neck and spine are the most susceptible to injury in a fall because the body can twist or jolt in abnormal ways. Slips and falls can cause whiplash, a herniated disc, or spinal cord damage that could even cause paralysis.
The spine is a vital part of a body’s nervous system. Any injury, though slight, can result in acute pain or long-term problems with mobility and may require physical therapy, surgery, or lifelong care.
Fractures and Broken Bones
Fractures are the most common injuries resulting from falls. The body tends to extend the arms to absorb the fall, causing broken wrists, elbows, or shoulders. Hip fractures are commonplace as well, particularly in the elderly.
Some broken bones require surgery, casts, or significant physical therapy to heal completely. Hip fractures are serious and, in older people especially, can result in long-term problems with mobility and secondary complications such as infections.
Knee and Ankle Injuries
Because of the severe impact, the legs often get twisted awkwardly in a slip-and-fall accident and can cause serious harm to the knee or ankle. One can suffer torn ligaments, sprains, or even fractures, resulting in serious mobility problems.
A torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a tear of the meniscus in the knee, an ankle sprain, or a break can all require surgery and months of rehab to return to full capacity.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft-tissue injuries (strains, sprains, and contusions) result from overstretching or tearing muscles, ligaments, or tendons when we fall. While the impact of these injuries might not be as severe as a broken bone, aches and pains can continue for years to come.
Treatment for these injuries generally includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation or RICE, but physical therapy or even surgery might be necessary in more serious cases.
Cuts and Abrasions
Cuts and abrasions are often perceived as the least serious kind of injury that a person can sustain in a fall, but even these can be highly painful. In fact, the more serious the fall, the more likely a cut or scrape will be involved. The most serious kind of cut is one that you receive when you fall on the ground, particularly when the ground is unpaved or filled with jagged objects. In such a situation, you could sustain serious cuts, which might require stitches.
Any cuts and abrasions should be cleaned and disinfected immediately after the injury to avoid infection. The worst lacerations may require stitching or tetanus injections as well as medical supervision, especially if the object that inflicted the wound was rusty.
Hip Injuries
A broken hip after a slip and fall can be seriously disabling and hugely influence the quality of life, especially if the injured party is an older individual. This type of fracture may need surgery and rehabilitation in long-term facilities.
Because older people have weaker bones, hip fractures in this age group are more likely to result in long periods of recovery or permanent mobility problems. Surgery and months of physical therapy are usually required to repair the damage.
Shoulder Injuries
When trying to brace yourself during a fall, the shoulder may take the brunt of the impact, leading to dislocations, fractures, or torn rotator cuffs. These injuries can cause severe pain and limit arm mobility.
Emotional and Psychological Injuries
In addition to physical injury, a slip and fall might also lead to psychological injury in the form of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The unexpected nature of the injury, coupled with the pain and recovery process, can cause emotional trauma to the victim.
Emotional injuries can be just as debilitating as physical ones. If you are experiencing distress following a fall, it’s important to see a mental health professional as soon as possible.
Florida’s Laws on Slip and Fall Accidents
A Florida property owner has a duty to maintain his or her property and safely keep the premises in a reasonable condition in light of the visiting public that is invited onto the property. If an owner’s negligence causes a slip-and-fall accident resulting in injury, the owner may be required to pay damages. Florida uses a comparative negligence standard, meaning that any person who has a claim and is partially at fault can recover damages, but the damages will be reduced by that person’s percentage of fault.
Speak to a Crestview Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Slip and fall injuries in Florida can cause everything from scrapes and bruises to brain and spinal cord damage and other serious, even life-changing injuries. If you are injured in a property owner’s slip and fall accident, you should always seek medical attention—and seek legal guidance from a skilled Crestview personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Contact our office today.