Injuries suffered from a fall may include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Strains and sprains
- Broken or fractured bones
- Spinal injuries
- Bruises and cuts
- Stretched or torn tendons and ligaments
- Dislocated shoulders
- Injured tailbone
- Hip fractures
- Thoracic injuries (injuries to the chest and organs in the chest area)
- Back and neck injuries
- Internal organ and nerve damage
- Paralysis
In most cases, the severity of the injury will largely depend on the seriousness of the fall itself, along with how healthy the person is that suffered the fall.
Facts About Falls
Approximately 3 million people suffer injuries from falls every year in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and approximately 20 percent of falls result in severe injuries.
Additionally, over 800,000 people in the United States require hospitalization due to an injury related to a fall. Traumatic brain injuries most often occur as a result of falls, and 95 percent of hip fractures result from falls. Falls are the second-leading cause of death related to accidental injury worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
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Risk Factors
Some of the risk factors that may increase the likelihood or severity of a fall include the following:
- Older age
- Weakened body due to age or illness
- Mobility issues due to age or illness
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Use of certain medications that may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion
- Vision challenges
- Foot pain and inadequate footwear
- Hazardous or dangerous conditions that cause slip and fall, or trip and fall accidents
Fall Prevention
There are some effective ways to attempt to prevent falls. These tips include:
- Always pay attention to the areas in which you are walking.
- Stay on designated paths and walking areas.
- Never rush to your destination.
- Make sure your route is well lit.
- Attempt to avoid any damaged walkways, sidewalks, or staircases.
- Wear appropriate footwear.
It is important to note that in many cases, falls are unavoidable. If a dangerous or hazardous condition exists on a private person’s or business’ property, this area may be unknown and unavoidable.
Property owners have a duty and obligation to ensure that their property is safe for guests and customers. If a property owner fails to warn people on their property that there is a hazardous or dangerous condition, or if the property owner fails to remove the dangerous condition, they are liable and responsible for any injuries that a person may suffer following a fall on their property.
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What To Do After a Fall
If you fell on someone’s property, the first thing you need to do is to try to stay calm and assess the damage. Check to see if you suffered injuries or feel pain in any way.
If you can get up from the floor, do so carefully. Never hurry in your attempt to get up after a serious fall, and always seek medical assistance if you feel you suffered any serious or painful injury. If you feel any pain, request assistance, or have a person contact an ambulance to take you to an emergency room for evaluation and treatment.
Sit down for a while following your slip and fall accident to check again for any pain or injuries. Make sure that you have a medical professional evaluate your condition. You should always seek medical evaluation and treatment after any fall to ensure that any injuries do not develop into life-threatening or have more serious medical complications.
If you do not feel pain immediately following a slip and fall accident but begin to develop pain at a later time, make sure to seek medical attention immediately.
If a hazardous condition on a private or business property caused your fall, you might be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim. The compensation can cover your medical costs, pain and suffering, and other losses. Also, if you fell as a result of negligence in the care of a nursing facility, you may benefit from filing a personal injury claim.
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Contact a Slip and Fall Attorney
The last thing you want to do after suffering a fall is to deal with the responsible party’s insurance company and a potential lawsuit. You may benefit from hiring a lawyer to handle your case while you focus on your recovery.
If you suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident due to someone else’s negligence, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, at 800-647-3113 to learn how we handle slip and fall cases that result in physical and emotional pain. Call us for a free consultation, and to help ensure your legal rights remain protected.
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