Slip-and-fall accidents are quite common. While most of these accidents result in nothing more than bruises and minor cuts, some slip-and-fall injuries can be life-altering. If you slip and fall while lawfully on another person’s property due to a hazardous condition on that property, you may be in a position to file a premises liability insurance claim or lawsuit against the property owner or manager.
Depending on the nature of an accident, such as the height you fall from, what you land on and the angle of impact, there are a number of injuries you may sustain following a slip and fall accident. The following are some of the most common.
Spinal cord injuries
If you land your back on a hard surface, you may fracture your spine. This kind of injury can happen at any section of the spine, depending on how you land during a fall. Depending on the location and severity of the trauma, spinal cord injuries can present a range of symptoms such as pain, numbness, weakness in the area of impact and paralysis.
Head injuries
Injuries to the head can range from bruises to fractured skulls, concussions and traumatic brain injuries. And if you land on a sharp or pointed object, you may sustain serious injuries to the brain. Symptoms of head injuries may include nausea, dizziness, cognitive impairment and memory loss.
Soft tissue injuries
A slip-and-fall accident can also result in soft tissue injuries like strains, sprains or even internal bleeding. Besides limiting your mobility, these injuries (especially internal bleeding) can be life-threatening if left undetected and untreated.
Pursuing damages
A slip-and-fall accident can turn your life upside down. However, you do not have to shoulder the resulting damages alone. California negligence laws allow you to hold a liable party accountable for damages under certain circumstances. Seeking legal guidance to better understand your rights and options is, therefore, generally wise if such a scenario arises.