Potential Consequences of a Slip & Fall Accident

Friday, June 17, 2022 by The Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman

Slip and falls are among the most common types of accidents Americans are involved in. Although such accidents are sometimes random occurrences that no one is to blame for, it is not uncommon for slip and falls to occur because property owners or managers failed to monitor their properties for hazards. Even if they do monitor their properties for hazards, accidents can still happen If property owners (or extensions of ownership, such as employees) fail to address these hazards in a timely manner.

Some people may assume that a slip and fall accident is minor when compared to other types of accidents, such as motor vehicle collisions.

It is true that some slip and falls do not result in significant injury to victims. Unfortunately, slip and falls can and do cause serious harm more often than many realize.

This is not a baseless claim. According to the CDC, in the United States, 800,000 patients require hospitalization for injuries sustained in falling accidents every year. The CDC also reports that one in five falling accidents will result in serious injury. Additionally, every year in the US, emergency departments treat approximately 3 million older people for injuries resulting from falls.

Slip and falls are not to be dismissed as minor accidents. The potential consequences of being involved in a slip and fall accident include (but are not limited to) the following:

Arm, hand, or wrist injuries

Many people who sustain injuries in slip and fall accidents do so as an indirect result of their attempts to avoid injury. When a person begins losing their balance and falling, it is often their instinctual reaction to thrust their arms forward in an attempt to break their fall or grab onto a fixture to prevent their fall.

It’s easy to understand why so many people react this way. However, this reaction frequently leads to injury. Someone who thrusts their arms forward during a fall may land on their hands or arms in such a way as to result in broken bones.

Brain injury

Victims of slip and fall accidents may strike their heads on the ground. This can cause them to sustain brain injuries.

The potential consequences and challenges one may experience as a result of a brain injury may be significant. In the short term aftermath of an accident resulting in a brain injury, a victim might experience such symptoms as:

• Headache
• Loss of consciousness
• Nausea
• Memory problems
• Confusion
• Speech problems

Those are just a few examples. Depending upon the severity of a brain injury, a victim might also be left facing such long-term difficulties as diminished cognition, emotional changes, and more.

Hip fractures

Falling accidents account for the vast majority of hip fractures in the US. CDC data indicates approximately 95% of all hip fractures are caused by falling accidents. Elderly people are particularly likely to sustain this type of injury as a result of a fall.

These are just some of the potential consequences of a slip and fall accident. If you have been injured in such an accident due to the negligence of another party, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other such losses.

Consult with an attorney to learn more about your options. At the Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman, a Ventura slip and fall accident lawyer will explain whether you have grounds to file a claim or lawsuit. Learn more about how we can help by contacting us online or calling us at 805-983-2344 to schedule a free consultation.