Fall Injuries
Falls can occur for a number of reasons, such as stepping on a slippery spot or tripping over an obstacle in your path. Falls affect people of all ages, and even falling from a standing height can result in serious injuries. The specific type of injury depends on factors such as the force and direction of the fall. However, certain injuries, ranging in severity, occur more often with falls.
1. Lacerations
Laceration is the medical term for a severe cut. A person who falls on or against something sharp may sustain a laceration deep enough that it requires stitches to close up the wound and allow it to heal.
2. Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries include muscle strains and ligament sprains, as well as tearing of either. Such injuries can sometimes be difficult to detect, requiring imaging such as an MRI to diagnose. However, they can remain symptomatic for a long time, even becoming chronic if left untreated.
3. Broken Bones
The impact from a fall can result in a bone fracture. A fall onto an outstretched hand can result in wrist fractures, which can be difficult to treat and take a long time to heal. Hip fractures are common as a result of fall injuries and can be serious, especially if occurring in an older adult.
4. Head Injuries
An impact to the head from a fall can result in a serious injury, especially if it involves the brain. A fall can cause a concussion or other, more serious, traumatic brain injury due to bleeding or swelling. Falling backwards can result in a fracture at the base of the skull. This is the most serious type of skull fracture, in part because it can allow the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the brain and holds it in place to leak out. Consider speaking with a brain bleed lawyer if this injury has happened to you as it may have been the result of someone else’s negligence.
5. Spinal Cord Injuries
Slip and fall accidents are one of the leading causes of spinal cord injury. Compression or severing of the spine can result in partial or complete paralysis. In the case of compression, it may be possible to reverse the paralysis by relieving the pressure, although this is by no means certain. If the spinal cord is severed, the paralysis will be permanent. The extent of the paralysis depends on the level at which the damage to the spinal cord occurs. Anything below that level will be affected. Contact Davis & Brusca, LLC, for help with your case.
