Common Types of Slip & Fall Injuries

We’ve all fallen down at some point in our lives. Perhaps it was because of a patch of ice, some spilled water on the floor, or a step you didn’t see. Or maybe you tripped on a long power cord or the edge of a rug. And very often, after those falls, people are able to get back up again without injury or with only minor injuries like scrapes, bruising, and general achiness. But not everybody is so lucky. 

According to the CDC, over 800,000 people are hospitalized every year with injuries caused by a fall. While people of all ages can potentially be injured in a fall, older adults – people age 65 and older – face a higher risk of serious injuries. In some cases, those falls in older adults can even be fatal. Falls are also a very common cause of work-related injuries. According to the National Safety Council, 211,640 people in 2020 were injured in workplace falls badly enough to need time away from work to recover. Additionally, 805 workers died because of workplace falls in 2020. 

Whether it’s a slip and fall or a trip and fall, falls have the potential to cause a wide range of injuries. These are just a few of the most common: 

Broken Bones & Fractures

Falls very often occur with enough force to cause someone to break a bone. Among older adults in particular, hip fractures are common in falls and have a high risk of long-term complications. Falls often also cause fractures in arms and collarbones because of the fact that many people put their arms and hands out to break their fall. Broken bones in legs are also common in falls. The long-term effects of a broken bone vary depending on the severity of the fracture, but can require rehabilitation and lengthy recovery times.

Spinal Cord Injuries

When someone slips and falls, they tend to fall backwards, which increases the risk of injuries to the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries can be life-threatening and require prompt medical attention to reduce the risk of further damage and give the patient the best chance at recovery. These injuries can include pinched nerves, slipped or herniated discs, and injuries that cause paralysis. Generally speaking, the higher on the spinal cord an injury occurs, the more serious the impact can be.

Head, Neck & Brain Injuries

There are many different ways a fall can affect the head, neck, and brain. If a person trips and falls forward, there’s the risk of sustaining facial or dental injuries. Or if a person slips and falls backward, the fall could fracture their skull if it hits the ground or cause a concussion or other type of brain injury. The force of a fall can potentially cause whiplash in the neck. 

Knee, Ankle, Elbow & Wrist Injuries

Knees, ankles, wrists, and elbows are very delicate areas of the body. And given how forceful falls can be, it’s very easy for these parts of the body to get injured. Elbows and wrists are frequently injured when a person puts their hands or arms out to break the fall while ankles and knees can be injured if a person lands on them or through the action of falling itself. 

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries refer to injuries that affect muscles, ligaments, and tendons throughout the body, such as sprains and tears. Whiplash is one example of a soft tissue injury someone might experience in a fall. Soft tissues near ankles are also very vulnerable to injury during a fall. If not treated correctly, soft tissue injuries can potentially cause chronic pain. Very often, people try to dismiss the severity of soft tissue injuries, but we understand how serious they can be. 

Contact a Michigan Slip & Fall Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall or a trip and fall accident, it’s very important to make sure all of your medical care is taken care of – both today and in the future. Working with a slip and fall lawyer will help make sure all of your needs are taken care of. At Scott Goodwin Law, we’re experienced in helping fall victims in the state of Michigan get the justice they deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can help you.