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What Are the Most Common Slip and Fall Injuries?

Posted in Slip and Fall Accidents on August 9, 2022

Slip and fall accidents in New York can occur anywhere. The types of slip and fall accidents are numerous.

You could slip and fall at another person’s home, a commercial building, a government office, or on the sidewalk. Dangerous conditions on any private, commercial, or public property could cause painful, life-altering injuries.

The Most Common Slip and Fall Accident Injuries

A slip and fall accident, such as if you fall from a high building on a construction site, can result in life-threatening injuries. Falls can also result in multiple injuries. Common injuries a New York slip and fall lawyer handles include, but are not limited to:

Broken Bones

When you fall forward, broken wrists and knees are common. Falling backward can result in a broken back or neck. Hips and shoulders are common joints broken in falls.

However, you could break bones in all parts of your body when you fall. Uneven surfaces could cause you to lose your balance and fall. The result could be a broken ankle.

While broken bones heal, severe fractures could require surgery and painful physical therapy. You might have a permanent impairment because of a broken bone.

Head Injuries and Brain Injuries

Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries are commonly caused by falls.

Types of head injuries that you could sustain in a slip and fall accident include:

  • Skull fracture
  • Concussion
  • Diffuse axonal injury
  • Epidural, subdural, or intracerebral hematoma
  • Contusion or intracerebral hematoma

Traumatic brain injuries can result in cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments. Children who suffer a head injury could experience developmental delays. The result could be lifelong impairments that affect the person’s quality of life, earning capacity, and ability to care for themselves.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Back Injuries

Damage to the spinal cord or back caused by a fall could result in one or more injuries.

Potential spinal cord and spine injuries include:

  • Pinched nerves
  • Fractured vertebrae
  • Herniated discs
  • Compression fracture
  • Subluxation and dislocation
  • Bulging discs

The spinal cord carries messages from the brain throughout the body. If the spinal cord is damaged, it could impact bodily functions, including breathing, intestinal function, heart rate, muscle movement, bladder control, sensations, and swallowing.

A person with a spinal cord injury could experience intense, chronic pain. They may have limited flexibility or be wholly or partially paralyzed.

Neck Injuries

Neck injuries are another common type of slip and fall injury. For example, your head might jerk back and forth when you fall. The resulting movement can damage the soft tissues in the neck, including the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

The result could be a severe case of whiplash. If the damage is traumatic, the person may experience long-term symptoms, including chronic pain and limited range of motion.

Facial Injuries

Falling forward could cause the face to slam into the ground or another object. Broken noses and jaws are common. In addition, the person may damage or lose their teeth.

Depending on the severity of the injury, a slip and fall victim may need extensive surgery for facial injuries. They may require one or more reconstructive surgeries.

Some individuals may have permanent scarring and disfigurement. Eye injuries could result in loss of sight or blindness.

What Should I Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in New York?

Your health is your top priority. Seeking immediate medical attention can reduce the chance of developing permanent impairments or life-threatening conditions. Contact an experienced New York City slip and fall attorney near you to help you get back on your feet.

However, you could also be entitled to compensation for economic damages, including lost wages, medical bills, and out-of-pocket expenses. You can also receive compensation for your non-economic damages.

If you sustain a permanent injury, the at-fault party might be liable for future damages, including reduced quality of life and diminished earning capacity.

Therefore, you also need to take steps to protect your right to recover compensation for your damages. You have the burden of proving that the property owner or another party is responsible for your injuries. That requires evidence.

How To Prove Liability in a Slip & Fall Accident Case

A New York slip and fall attorney will investigate the reason for your fall. They’ll collect evidence proving causation and fault to establish negligence and liability.

The legal elements for most slip and fall cases are:

  • The property owner owed you a duty of care to maintain safe premises
  • The owner breached the duty of care by failing to warn you of a dangerous condition or failing to correct a hazard the owner knew or should have known was on the property
  • The breach of duty was the direct and proximate cause of your injury
  • You sustained damages because of the property owner’s actions or failure to act

Your attorney will document your damages, calculate the value of your injury claim, and fight to get you the money you deserve. Protect your right to a fair settlement by seeking legal advice as soon as possible after a slip and fall accident.

Do not wait to seek legal advice. New York’s statutes of limitations set deadlines for filing claims. The deadlines for filing some slip and fall claims could be short, such as claims against the government for falls on public property.

Contact Our Slip and Fall Accident Law Firm in New York, NY

If you need legal assistance, contact the New York City slip and fall accident lawyers at Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation.

We have two convenient locations in New York:

Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers – New York City Office
450 7th Ave #1605
New York, NY 10123
(212) 564-2800

Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers – Brooklyn Office
26 Court St Suite 2511
Brooklyn, NY 11242
(718) 802-1600

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