There are many ways that a business can contribute to someone slipping and falling. Perhaps the company does not keep enough workers on hand to keep the premises clean. Maybe negligent property maintenance or deferred repairs to facilities led to puddling on the floor or peeling linoleum that sent someone sprawling at the store.
Although people usually think of slip-and-fall incidents as minor and expect that the person involved should walk away with a little more than a few bruises, sometimes people end up seriously hurt in a slip-and-fall. They may require immediate medical care and could be at risk of lost wages.
What types of costly injuries may occur as a result of a slip-and-fall incident?
Broken bones
It is almost instinctual for someone to try to prevent themselves from falling abruptly and slamming into the ground. Trying to brace oneself or catch oneself on the way down might lead to a fracture. Broken bones are a significant health concern for those ages 55 and older, but they can occur during any type of slip-and-fall. Broken bones may take weeks to heal and could force someone to take an extended leave of absence from work.
Joint injuries
A person who falls does not need to break a bone for their efforts to arrest their fall to cause an injury. Sometimes, people suffer major joint injuries due to overexertion or hyperextension in a slip-and-fall incident. Shoulders, elbows, hips and knees are particularly vulnerable as people seek to stop a slip-and-fall from happening.
Traumatic brain injuries
Someone who isn’t able to slow their descent as they fall might hit their head on the floor, nearby furniture or a wall. Blunt-force trauma to the skull can cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs can create symptoms ranging from changes in personality to cognitive challenges and fine motor skill deficits. Brain injuries can be particularly difficult for people to recognize after they fall and can also create permanent symptoms in many cases.
Someone who reports a slip-and-fall after it occurs and seeks out a prompt medical evaluation may have a better chance of making a full recovery and holding the right party accountable for their losses.