Slip-and-fall accidents are unpredictable. They can happen at any time of the year and affect people of all ages. A slip-and-fall can result in serious injuries, especially to people who are already vulnerable, such as the elderly and the very young.
According to Integra Health, there are some types of injuries that are more common with slip-and-fall accidents than others. Here are some that are most likely.
Broken bones
A bone that absorbs most of the impact from a slip-and-fall is more likely to fracture as a result of the trauma. A sideways fall can result in a hip fracture, which is especially dangerous in the elderly. People who fall may instinctually put out their hand(s) to catch themselves, so fractures of the wrist or forearm are also common.
Spinal injury
A fall directly onto one’s back can cause a spinal injury. Such injuries can range in severity. The most serious can result in paralysis due to damage to the spinal cord itself. Even a relatively mild spinal injury, such as a herniated disk, can put pressure on the cord or nerve roots. This can cause pain and other neurological symptoms, such as numbness or tingling, that radiates to the limbs.
Traumatic brain injury
A blow to the head from a fall can cause a traumatic brain injury (“TBI”). A fall onto the back of the head could fracture the base of the skull. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, this is the most serious type of skull fracture and can cause clear or bloody discharge from the nose or ears or distinctive bruising patterns on the face.
However, not all traumatic brain injuries involve skull fractures. A concussion is a type of TBI that is usually closed. Though many patients recover fully from a concussion, it can have serious complications.
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