Some Common Injuries from Slips and Falls Might Surprise You

Slip and fall accidents commonly cause surprisingly serious injuries that can lead to permanent disabilities or death. When people fall, they may suffer from head injuries, spinal cord injuries, soft tissue injuries, fractures, abrasions, and cuts. If these accidents happen while victims are visiting the property of another person or entity, the property owner or business operator may be held accountable for damages. When the owner or operator failed to keep the property in a hazard-free and safe condition and serious injuries or death result, the responsible party can be liable for medical costs, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and more.

Common Slip and Fall Injuries

Surprisingly, even slip and fall accidents that initially seem minor can cause serious injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the top cause of traumatic brain injuries in the U.S. In the falls that occur, 20 percent result in serious injuries such as fractures or head injuries. Falls are also responsible for 95 percent of hip fractures. The CDC reports that 300,000 people are hospitalized each year after breaking their hips in falls.

Slip and fall accidents can also cause injuries to the back, neck, and spinal cord. People may suffer slipped or herniated discs in their backs or necks. They may also suffer fractures to their ribs or vertebrae. Finally, people may suffer spinal cord injuries in serious falls that can leave them paralyzed. Other types of injuries that can happen in falls include soft tissue injuries, abrasions, and cuts.

Duty of Property Owners

Property owners owe a duty to people who are legally visiting their property to keep the premises safe and free of hazards. They may be liable to pay compensation to people who fall while they are visiting their premises if they have failed to meet their duty of care. This may include inspecting the premises and correcting issues that they find as soon as they are discovered. Such things as debris, loose tiles, spills and other issues should be promptly fixed to prevent slip and fall accidents from happening.