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Fall injuries are common but can be dangerous. 1 out of 5 falls causes serious injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Fall accidents can happen due to many reasons, while the types of injuries that result from falls can be even more varied. But one thing is sure, if the fall was caused by someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to receive compensation.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a fall accident, you need to get fast, responsive help. Gould Injury Law can assist you in getting the compensation you deserve as fast as possible. Contact our law office at 888-WIN-FAST. Or fill out the online form and schedule your free consultation today.
What Are the Most Common Types of Injuries You Can Get From Falling?
Falling is one of the most common causes of injuries to people. Depending on the height of the fall, the type of surface, and the body part that strikes the surface, the type of injury can vary. Among the most common types of injuries from a fall are the following.
Sprains
The most common type of injury from a fall is a sprain. Sprains are caused by the overstretching or tearing of ligaments. This can happen when rolling an ankle or landing on an outstretched arm. Sprains can cause pain, swelling, and bruising and can take weeks to heal.
Fractures
A fracture is caused by a break in the bone. Such an injury can occur from a fall where the person lands on a hard surface, such as concrete or asphalt.
Common fractures include wrist fractures, ankle fractures, and pelvic fractures. Symptoms of a fracture include severe pain, swelling, and difficulty or inability to move the affected limb.
Strains
Strains occur when muscles or tendons are overstretched or torn. This can happen when a person falls on an outstretched arm or leg or if he or she lands on an uneven surface. Symptoms of a strain include pain, swelling, and reduced range of movement.
Head and brain injuries
A head injury can be rather serious. A blow to the head can cause a concussion, which is only one possible traumatic brain injury.
Symptoms of a concussion include headache, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, and nausea. In severe cases, a concussion can cause loss of consciousness and brain bleeding.
Cuts and bruises
Other injuries that can occur from falling include cuts, scrapes, and bruises. These injuries can seem minor. However, it is best to seek immediate medical attention.
Back yourself up with a medical visit in case of serious health conditions and your future legal claim. There may be serious problems that are not immediately visible with surface symptoms. Additionally, medical records can be valuable when pursuing compensation in a fall accident case.
Internal injuries
A fall can also cause injuries to the internal organs. For example, a fall on the abdomen can cause injuries to the liver, spleen, or kidneys. A fall on the back can cause injuries to the spinal cord, which can result in paralysis.
Emotional trauma
In addition to physical injuries, a fall can also cause emotional and psychological trauma. These forms of mental pain can become evident in symptoms such as anxiety or fear of falling again.
You must seek medical attention if you have fallen and are experiencing any pain, swelling, or difficulty moving. A healthcare provider can evaluate your injuries and provide appropriate treatment.
To learn how to get compensation quickly, speak with an experienced fall accident attorney who can work fast on your behalf.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Falls?
Fall injuries are a common type of injury that occurs when a person loses his or her footing and slips, trips, or falls to the ground. The most common causes of fall injuries include the following.
- Wet or slippery surfaces: One of the most common causes of fall injuries is wet or slippery surfaces. These can include spills, standing water, or snow, as well as ice on walkways and sidewalks. In commercial settings, this can include spills in a grocery store, leaky pipes in a restaurant, or wet floors in a shopping mall.
- Poorly maintained walkways and sidewalks: Uneven surfaces, cracked or broken pavement, and raised or missing sections of the sidewalk can create tripping hazards and increase the risk of falling.
- Poor lighting: Poor lighting can make it difficult to see potential hazards, such as uneven surfaces or obstacles, and can increase the risk of falling.
- Obstructions: Cluttered walkways, loose rugs, and electrical cords can create tripping hazards and cause a fall.
For a property owner to prevent liability in fall injuries, it is essential for him or her to be aware of potential hazards and to take steps to remove them. For example, keeping walkways and sidewalks clear of debris, promptly cleaning up spills, and providing adequate lighting can help to reduce the risk of falling.
In commercial settings, it is important for the owner or manager of the establishment to maintain the premises in a safe and secure manner. This would include regular maintenance and inspection of the property. He or she must promptly address any hazards that may arise.
How a Fall Accident Lawyer Can Help You Establish Your Case
You will want to obtain financial restitution as fast as possible for the many costs associated with your fall accident. Whether it involved a trip or now, a slip and fall lawyer can help you accomplish this by firmly establishing your case.
This can be done by proving two important legal elements, that of duty of care and breach of duty. Let us examine these crucial elements in greater detail.
Duty of care
“Duty of care” refers to the legal requirement that one party must take reasonable steps to prevent harm to another party. In a fall accident case, the duty of care is the responsibility that a property owner or manager has to take reasonable steps to keep the property safe for visitors and to prevent falls.
The duty of care for property owners and managers includes maintaining the property in a safe and secure manner. He or she must promptly correct any hazards that can come up. Property owners and managers also have a duty to warn visitors of any known hazards.
The duty of care also applies to commercial property, such as retail stores, restaurants, and hotels. These commercial locations have a legal responsibility to maintain a safe property.
Keeping the property safe would include ensuring that floors are clean and dry. Spills must be dried quickly. Customers must also be informed of any known hazards.
If a fall occurs, and it is determined that the property owner or manager failed to fulfill the duty of care, he or she may be held liable for any injuries that result from the accident. This means that the injured person may be able to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
It is important to note that the duty of care is not absolute. Insurance companies will attempt to counter-argue that it is not always possible for property owners and managers to prevent all accidents from happening. However, a skilled, fast-thinking slip and fall attorney can stop guilty parties from evading accountability.
Breach of duty
A breach of duty in a fall case refers to a failure to fulfill the legal responsibility, or “duty of care,” that a property owner or manager has to take reasonable steps to have a property that is safe for visitors and to prevent fall accidents.
A breach of duty can occur when the party responsible for the property fails to take sensible steps to maintain that the property is safe. One example of such a breach is when a property owner or manager knows that a particular area of the property is prone to becoming wet and slippery but still fails to post warning signs or take other steps to alert visitors to the hazard. In this case, he or she could be found to have breached the duty of care.
The breach of duty factor is not always easy to prove. In order to establish a breach of duty, the injured person must show that the property owner or manager knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to take reasonable steps to address it.
Establishing a breach of duty is an essential element for a fall case to be successful. In other words, if your fall accident attorney is able to prove that the property owner or manager breached the duty of care and that the accident occurred as a result, then you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries.
Gould Injury Law Fall Accident Lawyers Can Help You Financially Recover Fast
Are you or a loved one recovering from a fall accident? Injuries from a fall accident can develop quickly. Medical bills and lost wages can start to add up fast as well.
It is important for you to get the compensation you need just as fast. Let the fall accident attorneys at Gould Injury Law help you.
Learn how our fall accident lawyers can help you get fast financial recovery for your fall accident. For fast results, get in touch with us at Gould Injury Law. Call 888-WIN-FAST today or fill out the online form for a free consultation.