Falls are a major cause of unintentional injuries around the global and the World Health Organization classifies falls as the second leading cause of such injuries and deaths every year. Every year, as many as 640,000 persons worldwide suffer a fall accident that leaves them with serious or fatal injuries, and seniors above the age of 65 form a sizable chunk of this group. In the U.S., 2.8 million people are treated in the emergency room or hospitalized for fall related injuries.
Many times, a fall accident can be the result of property that has been poorly or negligently maintained. In Georgia, business owners have a duty to keep their property safe and free of dangers, or warn of dangers, that could cause injury to their guests. If a guest on their property trips and falls, or slips and falls, and gets injured because of their failure to maintain the property, they can be held liable for compensating the party that suffered personal injuries.
A fall accident can result in a number of injuries, many of which can be serious. Here is a look at some of the most common injuries that occur as a result of slip and fall accidents.
Fractures
Fractures or broken bones can range from simple fractures that take a few weeks to heal, or severe or complex fractures that can require surgeries and take months of rehabilitation and therapy to fully treat. Some types of fractures may leave a serious impact on the individual’s ability to lead a productive life or go back to his job before the injury. For example, a person who does manual work may be forever impaired by the effects of a wrist, hand or finger fracture. A person may seek compensation for lost or diminished earnings in a personal injury lawsuit.
Spinal Cord Injury
A fall can impact the spinal cord, causing injuries that are more serious, and severely impact the individual’s ability to earn a living after the accident. These injuries are more complicated, and medical treatment for these can be both extensive and expensive. Even after an injury has been treated to the maximum possible extent, it can still leave the individual with serious back pain and limited mobility, making it difficult for him to keep down a job.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Any head injury during a fall accident can cause a traumatic brain injury. Some brain injuries may result in a concussion, while others are more severe and can severely impair the person’s cognitive functioning, his speech and communication, as well as his ability to perform basic routine activities. No matter what the kind of brain injury, it’s important to determine the damages that may result from the injury. Remember, brain injuries can have lifelong consequences, including memory problems, drop in concentration or attention span, and the increased risk of developing conditions like dementia earlier than usual. All potential long-term effects of the injury must be tabulated if you’re claiming damages in order to minimize the financial impact of the injury on your life in the future. In addition to lost earnings, a person may be able to seek compensation for past and future medical expenses in a personal injury case.
Other injuries can include shoulder dislocations and soft tissue injuries which may not be visible to the naked eye, but could still result in pain and reduced mobility.
Whatever the types of injuries you have suffered in a fall, discuss them with a slip and fall accident lawyer to determine how you can proceed with a claim for damages. You may be eligible for damages that include medical costs, lost income, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering as well as other damages. Talk to an experienced Atlanta slip and fall lawyer at the Katz Personal Injury Lawyers to discuss your claim.