“Slip and fall.”
The phrase sounds like a stage direction out of a comedy film, doesn’t it? But there’s nothing funny about slip and fall injuries. In fact, the injuries sustained in a slip and fall accident—no matter where they occur—can be life-changing.
What sorts of injuries are we talking about? Let’s take a closer look at the different ways you might be hurt in a slip and fall incident.
Abrasions and Cuts
Let’s start with the least serious types of injuries. Many times after a fall, a person will notice that they have cuts or abrasions on various parts of their body. As a rule, these sorts of injuries are generally not too serious. While some stitches may be in order, if you come out of a fall with only abrasions and cuts, you have reason to be thankful.
Injuries to Soft Tissue
Soft tissue injuries—ranging in severity from minor sprains to ligament and tendon tears—are not nearly so visible as cuts or abrasions. But they can be significantly more serious. In fact, soft tissue injuries may take a day or even longer to show up but can lead to chronic pain if not treated appropriately. It’s possible that you could fall and think you are unharmed, only to discover later that you’ve suffered a soft tissue injury. As a result, it is always a good idea to get yourself checked out after a serious fall, even if you feel fine at first.
Broken Bones
Unlike an injury to soft tissue, a broken bone will make its presence known immediately in most cases. From minor fractures to serious breaks, the pain will let you know there is a problem. Getting an X-ray right away is essential so that the appropriate treatment can be put in place immediately. Quick medical attention will also identify any internal bleeding or other damage that may have been occurred when the bone broke.
Injuries to the Head or Spinal Cord
We’ve arrived at the most serious of the many injuries you might sustain in a slip and fall incident. If you hit your head when you fell, you need to see a doctor right away. Your doctor will be able to determine whether you have sustained a concussion or suffered something even more serious like a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that could easily have long-term consequences for your ability to function in all the ways you did before the fall.
Spinal cord injuries can be equally traumatic and also require immediate medical care. These injuries, in which the spinal cord is compressed or severed, can lead to partial or full paralysis.
What to Do When You’ve Been Hurt
If you are hurt in a slip and fall accident, the first thing you need to do is seek medical assistance to ensure that your injuries are properly addressed right away. Getting immediate medical care has another advantage, too: your doctor will document the kind and extent of your injuries—information that can be essential in a lawsuit.
Which leads us to the second thing you should do after a slip and fall incident: hire a personal injury attorney. Your lawyer will fully investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine who is liable. The liable party can be sued for damages—money to cover the losses you have suffered and may continue to suffer as a result of the accident and the injuries that resulted. A skilled attorney is your best advocate for ensuring that you are fairly compensated after you have been hurt.
If You’ve Been Hurt, Contact Our Slip and Fall Attorneys
At Griffen & Stevens Law Firm, we know all too well how a slip and fall accident can upend your life and livelihood. We’re here to help and will vigorously pursue appropriate compensation for your injuries. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
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