When It’s More Than Just a Fall

By Grant Law Office on April 1, 2020

A slip and fall accident can be embarrassing and painful – but there is the potential for a far worse outcome. A slip and fall can lead to serious or fatal injuries, particularly when the brain or spinal cord has been damaged. Falls can occur in the workplace, on a city sidewalk, in a retail setting, a concert venue, a nursing home, or virtually any location if the conditions are right.

Oily, wet, or slippery floors, spilled beverages, uneven walking surfaces, poorly lit stairways, boxes or other items left in walking areas, are just a few ways slip and fall accidents occur. About three million people are treated in emergency departments for accidental falls each year in the USA, as reported by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). In these cases, a fall is more than just a fall – it can be a life-altering event.

Head and Brain Injuries

If you slip and fall and hit your head, you should seek medical help immediately. The impact may have triggered bleeding in the brain, leading to pressure, which if not treated at once, could be fatal. Traumatic brain injury is one of the leading causes of disability in the USA. The effects of an impact to the head may last for days, weeks, or a lifetime. If you had a slip and fall and hit your head, have your condition assessed by a qualified medical professional. Some of the symptoms of a dangerous condition include:

• • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Loss of balance

• Sudden headaches that grow in intensity
• Lethargy
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness, even briefly

Spinal Cord and Neck Injuries

Spinal cord and neck injuries are some of the most severe injuries sustained in a slip and fall. The vertebrae protecting the spinal cord may be damaged, causing pressure on the nerve bundle within the cord. The impact of the fall could lead to serious health problems, including:

• Sprains
• Strains
• Herniated disc
• Fractured vertebrae
• Neck, head, and back pain
• Compressed disc
• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injury, paraplegia, quadriplegia, or limited motion
• Nerve damage affecting bodily functions

Broken bones and fractures in the hips, wrists and shoulders.

Your bones break when they cannot flex enough to withstand pressure. In slips and falls, fractures in the hips, wrists and shoulders are most common. With age, the bones become more brittle and more prone to fracture. No matter what your age, if you were seriously injured in a slip and fall as the result of an act of negligence, you have the right to pursue compensation.

Knee damage

During a slip and fall, the knees may strike the ground first, damaging the knee structure. The type of injuries that could be sustained include:

• Fractured kneecap
• Pulled or torn ligaments
• Dislocations
• Sprains
• Meniscus tears
• ACL injuries

Our Advice: See a Doctor and Call a Lawyer.

After a slip and fall in Atlanta, see a doctor and have your condition evaluated. If you have suffered a serious injury in a slip and fall accident in Georgia, contact a personal injury lawyer from Grant Law Office. Call (404) 995-3955 today.