How Slip and Fall Accidents Can Be Serious
It is a mistake to assume that all slip and fall accidents are minor incidents that will not result in serious injuries. Every year, over one million people in the U.S. visit emergency rooms from slip and fall accidents. These incidents can inflict severe, painful and permanently debilitating injuries on victims. Catastrophic slip and fall accidents can even be deadly.
Head and Brain Injuries
Head injuries are one of the most common reasons slip and fall accident victims are hospitalized. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions. Brain injuries can occur if a slip and fall victim strikes his or her head on the floor or an object on the way down. Depending on the severity of the brain injury, it could inflict permanent damage, such as memory loss, cognitive damage, motor dysfunction, and seizures or epilepsy.
Hip Fractures
The CDC reports that more than 95 percent of hip fractures are caused by fall accidents. A broken hip can occur if a victim falls sideways and suffers an impact between the hip bone and the floor. Hip fractures are serious and painful injuries that can take several weeks to heal. During the long recovery time, the patient is limited to little to no movement. This can result in potentially fatal health complications, such as infections and blood clots. Deadly hip fractures are most common in the elderly.
Falls and the Elderly
Slip and fall accidents are a crisis for the elderly. Senior citizens are the most at risk of serious and fatal injuries in falls. The National Floor Safety Institute states that falls are the sixth-leading cause of death among people aged 70 years and older. In 2020, 36,000 adults aged 65 and older lost their lives in fall accidents (source: the CDC). Around half of all elderly adults over the age of 65 who are hospitalized for hip fractures cannot return home or live on their own again.
Soft-Tissue Damage
Falls can result in a variety of soft-tissue injuries, including muscle sprains and strains, bruising, contusions, swelling, and lacerations. Common examples are neck injuries, back injuries, elbow injuries, wrist sprains, and deep cuts that can cause immense bleeding and permanent scars. Soft-tissue injuries can cause long-term and permanent disabilities, such as serious damage to muscles, tendons, joints and ligaments. Even with medical treatment, a victim may not be able to fully regain function in the injured area.
Falls From Heights
If a slip and fall accident takes place on an elevated platform, such as a scaffold or roof, the outcome can be disastrous for the victim. Falling from a height can result in life-threatening injuries, such as spinal cord damage, neck injuries, brain injuries, broken ribs, compound fractures and organ damage. Potentially fatal injuries can occur even from moderate heights, such as falling from a vehicle or low staircase.
Pursuing Damages for a Serious Slip and Fall Accident
If you or someone you love has been injured in a serious slip and fall accident in Kentucky, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, disability, and pain and suffering. Filing a injury claim with assistance from an experienced Louisville slip and fall accident attorney could lead to the compensation you need to move forward from your accident. The attorneys at Hendy | Johnson | Vaughn | Emery can help you protect your rights during the claims process. Contact us today for a free case consultation.
Contact the Louisville Slip and Fall Accident Law Firm of Hendy Johnson Vaughn Emery for Help Today
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact Hendy Johnson Vaughn Emery to schedule a free consultation with a slip and fall accident lawyer in Louisville today. We have two convenient locations in Louisville and Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.
We proudly serve Jefferson County, Kenton County, and its surrounding areas:
Hendy Johnson Vaughn Emery – Louisville, KY Office
600 W Main St Ste 100
Louisville, KY, 40202
(502) 540-5700
Hendy Johnson Vaughn Emery – Fort Mitchell, KY Office
2380 Grandview Dr
Fort Mitchell, KY, 41017
(859) 578-4444