Slip-and-Fall Accident Causes and Injuries
While slipping or falling may not seem like a major risk, a “slip-and-fall” can drastically change your day and even your life.
A slip-and-fall can lead to serious injury and can happen to anyone, potentially leading to breaks, fractures, spinal injuries, or various other issues. They can cause a great deal of pain and lead to unexpected medical bills and even lost wages that can put your family in debt. There are many causes for a slip-and-fall injury. The most important thing to remember is that slip-and-fall accidents can often be avoided with proper precautions.
Most Common Injuries from a Slip-and-Fall
Slip-and-fall injuries are the most common type of accidental injury outside of those caused by car accidents. When injuries occur from a sip and fall, the most common types include:
Spinal Injuries
Slip-and-fall incidents can cause significant injury to the spine, ranging from whiplash to herniated discs. Spinal injuries often require long-term treatment and rehabilitation to alleviate pain and restore mobility. In extreme cases, spinal injuries may lead to permanent disability or impaired functioning. For these reasons, proper evaluation and treatment of any suspected spinal injury is essential after a slip-and-fall incident.
Neck Injuries
Injuries to the neck are commonly associated with slip-and-fall accidents, as the impact of a fall can cause sudden jolts and contortions which damage the delicate neck muscles and ligaments. Common neck injuries resulting from slips and falls include sprains, strains, and whiplash. Seeking prompt diagnosis and treatment is key for these types of injuries as they can have far-reaching implications on motor skills, pain management, and daily functioning.
Broken or Fractured Bones
Bone fractures are a common outcome of slip-and-fall accidents due to the force of impact on bones that cannot withstand such abrupt movement. Depending on the severity and location of the fracture, broken bones can result in permanent impairments if left untreated. Even minor fractures should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to ensure that proper healing takes place.
Wrist Injuries
Falls onto an outstretched arm or hands are a common cause of wrist injuries. These injuries range from minor sprains to severe fractures which can affect daily functioning for weeks or months. Treatment usually involves immobilization until healing is complete, followed by physical therapy to regain strength and range of motion.
Cuts and Lacerations
Sharp objects or rough surfaces may lead to cuts and lacerations during a slip-and-fall accident, which can be deep enough to require stitches or further medical attention. For this reason, it’s important to seek medical help after these kinds of falls even if the wound appears superficial at first glance. Wounds should also be monitored for signs of infection.
Lasting, Chronic Pain
In some cases, slip-and-fall accidents may lead to longer-term pain in areas such as the back or neck due to muscle strain, soft tissue damage, or inflammation. Persistent pain should not be ignored and requires immediate medical evaluation and treatment in order to prevent chronic conditions or impairments from developing over time.
Most Common Causes of a Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Wet or Uneven Surfaces
These two issues are the most common contributors to slip-and-fall accidents. This includes surfaces wet from spills, leaks, moisture collection, or recently mopped or waxed floors.
The best prevention method for wet/damp floors is proper signage and for staff members in the building to pay attention when there is a potentially wet floor.
Uneven surfaces include things outdoors like potholes, sidewalk cracks, or any surface with a sudden dip. Indoors, uneven surfaces can include loose mats/rugs, clutter on the floor, loose tile or floorboards, or staircases that haven’t been put together evenly.
It is the building and property employees’ job to manage the potential for slip-and-fall injuries both inside and outside their space.
Weather Conditions like Ice and Rain
Weather can contribute greatly to slip-and-fall injuries. The most common weather conditions causing slip-and-fall accidents are attributed to ice, snow, rain, leaf buildup, or condensation.
Building owners and property managers are responsible for taking preventative action by doing things like salting sidewalks and entryways, shoveling snow, clearing leaves, and putting out mats in transitional areas from outdoor to indoor entryways.
It is important to be cautious about the surfaces you walk on during certain weather conditions that can create areas that may be slippery or damp.
Lack of Workplace Training
Another typical cause of slip-and-fall accidents in Dallas is a lack of proper workplace training. Employees should be taught how to walk in areas like industrial buildings, manufacturing spaces, and construction sites. Without proper training, the likelihood of a slip-and-fall vastly increases and could put you at risk at the workplace.
Neglect
One of the most tragic elements contributing to slip-and-fall accidents is neglect. You commonly see this in hospitals and nursing homes. Many patients and residents are left on their own due to staff neglect or team members being stretched too thin.
Aging or injured people can have an impaired sense of balance that leaves them at risk for a slip-and-fall injury, making their situations even worse. The staff’s responsibility is to monitor their movements from walking the halls to simply getting in and out of bed.
Improper Footwear
Most businesses that have some level of danger for slip-and-fall accidents in Dallas outline the proper type of footwear to be worn on the job. However, the issue is usually with enforcement. Businesses with common spills like construction and restaurants also need to be cognizant that their team members are wearing the right type of no-slip shoes on the job.
Intentional Fraud
Finally, fraudulent slip-and-fall injuries are a big issue that leads to fake injuries and lawsuits. For example, someone may spill liquid in a gas station, commercial building, or grocery store and slip on it to claim injury and seek damages. Keeping team members on the lookout for intentional spills through visual monitoring or camera systems helps prevent this issue.
Reliable Dallas Slip and Fall Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been involved in slip-and-fall accidents in Dallas, injuries are only one part of the trouble. It can lead to vast medical bills that can put your family in serious debt and even lead to lost wages as a result of the injury. Your best bet to prevent this is to speak to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after the fall and find out if you have a case.
The Genthe Law Firm is here to aid you in your time of need. You can trust your Dallas personal injury lawyer to provide expert legal knowledge to your case and to help you navigate the situation to become healthy again and collect any damages you may be entitled to.
