Slip-and-Fall Injuries That Can Have Long-Term Consequences
Each year, over 1 million people visit the emergency room for slip-and-fall injuries. Slips and falls can have a devastating impact, leaving a person with copious medical bills and lost wages, which often require ‘round-the-clock care for the remainder of their life. At Bednarz & Bednarz, our Tennessee premises liability lawyers have first-hand experience helping victims of slip-and-fall accidents. In this blog, we discuss common slip-and-fall injuries that can have long-term effects on your life.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Your spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that sends signals from your brain to your body. Falls can damage the spinal cord and disrupt these signals. Common symptoms are numbness, tingling, loss of sensation below the injury, loss of bladder or bowel control, and paralysis. If you suspect a spinal cord injury, seek medical care immediately to reduce long-term or permanent damage.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Any blow to the head can disrupt brain function and cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI). An estimated 2.8 million Americans get a TBI annually, with falls a leading cause. TBIs range from mild to severe, with symptoms from nausea and fatigue to seizures, extended unconsciousness, or coma. A TBI can prevent daily tasks, bringing long-term financial, physical, and emotional distress to victims and families.
Broken Bones
Broken bones, or fractures, are common in slips and falls, especially in persons over the age of 65. In recent years, slips and falls contributed to 88% of ER visits. Fractures are classified as either open or closed, with an open fracture occurring when the bone pierces the skin. Depending on the fracture’s location and severity, surgery may be required.
Herniated Discs
A herniated, or slipped, disc occurs when a spinal disc tears or leaks, putting pressure on the nerves and causing severe pain. Although it can occur anywhere along the spine, it is most often found in the lower back (lumbar spine). Symptoms can include weakness in the neck, back, or legs. Physicians may recommend rest and physical therapy to manage pain from a herniated disc after a slip-and-fall.
Ligament Tears
Our bones are connected by fibrous bands of connective tissue called ligaments. Twisting or pivoting to avoid a fall can cause ligament tears, with knee injuries (ACL tears) perhaps the most common. Many people who experience a ligament tear describe a distinctive popping sound at the moment of the tear, followed by severe pain and swelling. Some ligament tears require surgery, while others may heal through bracing and physical therapy.
Emotional Injuries
A slip-and-fall incident can affect a victim’s relationships with family, friends, and professional colleagues. The emotional toll can persist for years after an incident, making a person eligible to recover damages for pain and suffering. Among these damages are infliction of emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, damage to reputation, humiliation, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The state of Tennessee caps non-economic damages at $750,000 per plaintiff, though individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries may recover up to $1 million.
Speak with Our Tennessee Premises Liability Attorneys Today
A slip-and-fall can result in medical expenses and missed work. The Bednarz & Bednarz legal team has helped clients secure compensation for their injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, contact our Tennessee premises liability lawyers for a free consultation online or at (615) 623-8789.
