There are some slip and fall injuries that could change a person's quality of life, while others can be uncomfortable for quite a while. Slip and fall injuries can be frustrating because the victim usually never sees them coming and never expects to be injured. If you have been in a slip and fall accident, it helps to know what type of injury you have so you understand the type of treatment you will be getting. The most common slip and fall injuries, while they happen every day, affect each victim differently.
When someone slips and sprains their ankle, that is called a soft tissue injury. Some of the most common types of slip and fall injuries involved sprained joints or torn ligaments. These injuries are usually painful and can take weeks to heal, but with the right treatment any sprain or tear can be repaired. Almost every victim who suffers one of these injuries makes a full recovery.
The range of bones that can be broken in a slip and fall accident includes:
The chances of a full recovery from a broken bone depend on several factors. If the break is in an area that has a hard time healing, then recovery could be compromised. If there are several breaks in the same bone, then that is called a compound fracture and will usually leave permanent damage. Breaks in the spine or neck, if not properly handled, could result in permanent paralysis. If there is a broken bone due to a slip and fall accident, it is best to not touch the victim until emergency personnel arrive.
The most common minor injuries people sustain in slip and fall accidents are cuts and abrasions. A cut can be quite painful and take time to heal, depending on how deep it is and where it is located. A cut across a major blood vessel could require more stitches and time to heal.
Abrasions are the scrapes you get when you drag you knee across the carpet, except that they can appear anywhere in a slip and fall accident. Deep abrasions along the back can be painful and take time to heal, while painful abrasions along the knee are the most common.
A type of injury that occurs frequently in slip and fall accidents and can be very painful is dislocations. The most common dislocations are in the wrist, elbow, and shoulder, but any joint that is sufficiently damaged can result in a dislocation. With a dislocation, the joint must be put back into place before physical therapy can begin to repair it. If the dislocation puts one of the bones on a nerve, it could cause the victim to blackout.
When someone slips and falls unexpectedly, then there is a good chance they will be injured. The most important thing to do after a slip and fall accident is to get medical attention immediately. Once you have received emergency medical care, you should contact an attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve to recover from your injuries.
