As an expert in personal injury law, I have seen firsthand the devastating effects of slip and fall accidents. These types of accidents can cause serious injuries that leave victims unable to work, cover their medical expenses, or provide for their families. Unfortunately, slips and falls account for more than 1 million emergency room visits in the United States every year. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may suffer from one of the most common injuries associated with this type of incident. When you fall unexpectedly, it is common to land on your shoulder or hit it against something on the way down.
This can result in a shoulder dislocation or when the bone in the upper arm comes out of the shoulder blade cavity. The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body, making it particularly susceptible to dislocation during a slip and fall accident. It is crucial that you seek medical attention as soon as possible after a slip and fall to ensure that your injuries are properly documented and can be traced back to the accident. If you have been involved in a slip and fall accident, it is important to seek medical help within 72 hours of the fall and follow your doctor's treatment plan. This may include follow-up visits, X-rays, or other diagnostic scans to assess the extent of your injuries.
With over 33 years of experience fighting for personal injury victims in the Las Vegas Valley, I know how to navigate the Nevada court system and how to get my clients a quick and smooth settlement. Slips and falls can also cause lacerations and bruises. In most cases, these injuries only require ice therapy or topical cream. However, it is important not to underestimate these types of injuries as a deep laceration can lead to infection and may require stitches. Soft tissue injuries, on the other hand, are not visible from the outside, making it difficult to prove them in a lawsuit.
You may not even realize that you have a soft tissue injury until days or even weeks after the initial fall. These injuries can range from minor ankle and wrist sprains to devastating tendon tears and ligament damage. If left untreated, soft tissue injuries can cause chronic pain and make you more vulnerable to subsequent injuries. Even if you feel fine after a fall, it is important to seek medical attention as soft tissue injuries do not always cause immediate symptoms. Even a seemingly minor head injury can be a medical emergency.
If you fall and hit your head, especially if there is swelling, bleeding, or a brief loss of consciousness, you need immediate medical attention. Mild concussions may go away on their own, but more serious traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can permanently alter your ability to function. Head injuries cannot be diagnosed based on symptoms alone, and some very serious head injuries may only produce minimal symptoms at first. No matter how uncomfortable it may be or how "good" you feel, the first thing you should do after a head injury is see a doctor. This can also increase your chances of a successful lawsuit as a medical visit provides firm documentation of your injury. Slips and falls that cause cuts and abrasions may look serious, but the injuries are often less extensive than other types of slips and falls.
Abrasions on the legs and arms are common, as are injuries to the head and hips. In most cases, these injuries only require surface treatment and perhaps a few stitches. However, if the impact of the fall is strong enough, cuts and abrasions may be due to more serious injuries such as concussions, brain damage, and bone fractures. Spinal cord injuries occur when the spinal cord is cut or compressed. These injuries are almost always life-threatening and require immediate medical attention as well as ongoing treatment.
They are among the most expensive injuries to treat and can cost up to a million dollars or more in the first year after the spinal injury. Bone fractures are also painful and can range from minor fractures to serious fractures that require numerous surgeries. The tissue surrounding fractured bones can also be damaged, requiring long-term treatment to prevent chronic pain and neuromuscular dysfunction. Because bone fractures can cause extensive bleeding, and since swelling that occurs during the first 12 hours can make it difficult to treat the fracture, immediate medical intervention is vital for recovery. Spinal cord injuries are traumatic for patients and their families, causing disruptive changes in every aspect of their lives.
There is a lot of new information to explore and understand, which is why our experts have brought everything together in one place to help you learn more about your injury, locate doctors and treatment centers, find financial support, and get help with your next move. While it is possible to sustain a slip and fall injury through your own negligence, most slip and fall cases are due, at least in part, to negligence on the part of the company. These injuries may require a long recovery process that lasts months or even years and, in more serious cases, may even require multiple surgeries. If left untreated, soft tissue injuries can turn into chronic pain and make you more susceptible to other injuries. If you suspect that you or a loved one has suffered a slip and fall injury as a result of someone else's negligence, you should talk to an attorney right away to see if you have a case. The impact of a fall is enough to cause bone fractures and other serious injuries, which unfortunately are common for slip and fall victims.
If this happens due to a slip and fall accident, you may be able to claim compensation for future medical care, as well as for current hospital expenses. Spinal cord injuries can be life-threatening or cause other devastating outcomes, such as permanent paralysis, temporary paralysis, and other neurological and sensory disorders. Slip and fall injury lawsuits have a statute of limitations that varies by state, meaning you have a limited time to file a lawsuit legally. While some people may simply associate these incidents with scrapes on their knees and an overwhelming sense of shame,...
