Slip-and-falls at businesses are somewhat common. Maybe the owner recently had the floors resurfaced, and they are unnecessarily slippery. Perhaps there aren’t enough workers on hand, so a dangerous spill sits unattended for hours. Freezers left propped open, leaky roofs and a host of other issues can lead to preventable slip-and-falls.
Frequently, people who fall in public try to brush themselves off and move on with their days. They might even overlook the early warning signs of significant injuries. Despite how people treat slip-and-falls as a source of slapstick humor, they can actually be very serious incidents that cause major medical complications. For example, the three costly injuries below are all possible after a slip-and-fall.
Soft tissue injuries
People can easily overexert themselves when they slip and fall. They can strain or sprain body parts as they try to stop themselves from falling. They may have functional limitations and pain symptoms that affect their daily life. Not only may they have medical expenses to address, but their symptoms might also affect their earning potential. They may need to take weeks away from work or perform light-duty work functions until they recover.
Broken bones
Trying to slow a fall can also lead to fractures or broken bones. Particularly when people who fall are in their 50s or older, their bodies may not be able to support them as they try to slow a fall. Fractures generally take a minimum of six to eight weeks to heal. Some of them may require far longer or even surgery to address. Broken bones can produce significant medical expenses and lost wages. In some cases, people may not notice broken bones initially if the fracture is not particularly severe.
Traumatic brain injuries
If people cannot catch themselves when they fall, they could hit their heads. Blunt force trauma to the head can cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Bleeding inside the skull or inflammation of the brain can cause structural changes to the brain. The symptoms of a TBI can include motor function challenges, balance issues and changes in personality. Brain injuries are very costly to treat and can cause a lifetime of increased medical expenses.
Reporting a slip-and-fall after it occurs protects the right of an injured person to seek compensation later. A report about a slip-and-fall can establish that injuries are the result of the incident. Premises liability lawsuits are sometimes necessary when people who fall in public places have significant financial losses.
