Slip and fall accidents can have devastating consequences, and they are alarmingly common in the United States. According to the National Safety Council, falls are one of the leading causes of unintentional injuries. In 2011, they accounted for approximately 8.9 million emergency department visits.
Injuries from slips and falls vary in type and severity. In some cases, victims require expensive medical treatment, rehabilitation and time off work. If you were injured in a slip and fall that happened on someone else’s property or due to another person’s negligence, then you may be entitled to compensation for these damages.
If the accident happened in Louisiana, contact a Lafayette personal-injury lawyer from Morris Bart, LLC. Call 800-537-8185 today to schedule a free consultation.
Until then, read on to learn five common injuries from slips and falls in Louisiana:
Hip Fractures
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 700,000 patients receive hospital treatment each year because of fall injuries. The most common wounds affect the head and hip.
A hip fracture can be debilitating and prohibitively expensive to treat. Victims may require long hospital stays, rehabilitation and, in some cases, hip replacements. Elderly people are particularly susceptible to hip fractures, and in some cases, they do not fully recover without extensive medical treatment.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
Head Injuries
Falls are leading causes of traumatic brain injuries, which range from mild concussions to permanent cognitive damage. A head injury can cause long-term complications such as chronic headaches, motor-skill impairment and seizures.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A slip and fall accident can cause severe back and spinal cord complications. The victim may suffer a slipped or herniated disk, or fractured vertebrae.
Even a mild back injury can be debilitating, but a severe fall can permanently reduce the victim’s mobility. Some spinal cord injuries confine patients to wheelchairs.
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Broken Bones and Sprains
It is easy to twist a knee, elbow or ankle in a slip and fall accident. For this reason, slip and fall victims often suffer sprains and tears to important ligaments that can take months or years to heal. Broken bones often accompany sprains and tears – particularly in slip and fall accidents on hard surfaces.
Dislocations
It is common for slip and fall victims to dislocate important joints. The shoulder, in particular, is prone to dislocation.
A dislocation can be excruciatingly painful and may require emergency medical assistance. Some patients need long-term rehabilitation to regain full function of the affected joint. In severe cases, surgery is necessary to stabilize and repair the joint after a dislocation.
Different laws and statutes may apply, depending on which state the accident occurred in. But a slip and fall accident attorney from our firm can help you understand what this means in your case, no matter where you live or where the accident happened.
If you were the victim of a slip and fall accident due to someone else’s negligence, you should not have to pay for the resulting medical expenses, time off work and other losses. Contact a Lafayette personal-injury attorney from Morris Bart, LLC at 800-537-8185 to schedule a free initial consultation.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
