We all believe that we are capable of navigating the world safely. But every day, a number of able-bodied individuals suffer injuries due to slip and fall. These injuries can be debilitating and can turn your life upside-down.
If you believe that you or a loved one has been injured in a slip & fall accident, contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney today to determine what your rights are and if you are entitled to compensation. Read on to learn about this kind of accident, and what injuries it may cause.
What is Slip & Fall?
Slip & fall describes a specific type of personal injury accident where a person slips and then falls down, causing injury, due to another person’s negligence.
What Causes Slip & Fall Accidents?
There are many different conditions that can cause slip & fall, such as torn carpeting, uneven flooring, wet tiles and dim lighting.
Outdoors, cracked and broken sidewalks or a flight of stairs in disrepair are the kinds of hazards that are often the cause of slip & fall. In addition, weather incidents like rain, ice or snow can be the culprit.
What Types of Injuries are Common in Slip & Fall Cases?
Slip & fall injuries can vary from relatively mild all the way to life-altering, and even life-threatening. Each of these kinds of injuries can be a result of a slip & fall accident.
Soft Tissue Injury
These injuries are invisible to the eye, but can certainly cause pain and suffering. Soft tissue injuries include:
- Contusions
- Sprains
- Torn ligaments
- Ruptured tendons
Broken Bones
Broken bones are a common slip & fall injury. While they may not seem particularly traumatic, broken bones can cause pain, as well as loss of work and difficult living situations.
- Fractured wrist or arm
- Dislocated elbow or shoulder
- Broken hip
Head Injuries
Head injuries can cause permanent damage and can be more severe than they first appear. If you injure your head during a slip & fall, be sure to seek medical attention immediately.
- Concussion
- Fractured skull
- Epidural hematoma
- Brain hemorrhages
Spinal Cord Injury
Slip & fall can cause spinal cord injuries, resulting in everything from nerve damage to permanent paralysis. Spinal cord injuries include:
- Cervical spinal cord injuries, often resulting in a lifelong need for 24-hour-a-day care
- Thoracic spinal cord injuries, often resulting in paraplegia
- Lumbar spinal cord injuries, which can result in incontinence and loss of use of the legs
- Sacral spinal cord injuries, leaving victims with nerve damage in the pelvic region
What Recourse Do I Have If I Suffer a Slip & Fall Injury?
If you suffer a slip & fall injury you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. You can be reimbursed for any medical costs that you accrue. This type of payment is called compensatory damages. You can also receive compensation designed to punish the party responsible for the negligence that caused your accident and to try to deter them from repeat offenses, through punitive damages.
If you suffered a slip & fall injury and have medical bills and ongoing needs, you may be entitled to compensation to help you. Do not assume the costs of dealing with personal injury alone.