4 Common Types of Slip and Fall Injuries

Slip and fall accidents are common. In fact, slip and fall accidents represent over 40 percent of the preventable injuries in Canada, according to Statistics Canada.

Our firm has represented thousands of injured victims throughout the past 54 years, including many slip and fall claims. While some slip and fall accidents may only cause minor injuries, many of them can cause serious – even debilitating – injuries. Below we discuss four of the most common types of injuries people sustain when they slip, stumble, trip, and fall.

Back and Neck Injuries

The quick jerking movement of a fall and landing on hard surfaces can easily cause back and neck injuries. Victims may sustain any of the following.

Herniated or slipped discs
Spinal stenosis
Spinal cord damage
Whiplash-related disorders
Torn ligaments

Many back injuries can lead to long-term discomfort or disability. When a victim hurts his or her back in a slip and fall accident, he or she may develop chronic back pain, lose a degree of mobility, and can even develop degenerative disc disorders.

Head and Brain Trauma

A traumatic brain injury is a major concern in a slip and fall accident. When a victim slips and falls, s/he runs the risk of hitting his/her head on a nearby object, wall, or piece of furniture, or slamming the head on the ground upon impact. This may fracture the skull and create an open or closed head injury. The force of the fall can cause damage to the brain, which can have devastating consequences.

Brain injury patients may have to contend with the following.

Long-term treatment needs
Extensive rehabilitation
Cognitive problems
Inability to perform normal daily activities
Mobility issues
Relationship and behavioral problems

Fractures

In addition to fractures of the back and of the skull, slip and fall accident victims often sustain fractures to other parts of their bodies, such as the following.

Hand and arm fractures
Leg and foot fractures
Facial fractures (and dental injuries)
Hip and pelvis fractures (particularly with older adults)

Fractures can take months to heal, and require time away from work, particularly if the victim’s job requires a lot of movement or heavy lifting.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries are those that affect the softer tissues of the body, including tendons, ligaments, and muscles. While not as serious as the aforementioned injuries, soft tissue injuries are quite common in slip and fall accidents and can cause difficulties in mobility and other aggravating complications.

Sprains and strains are the most common type of soft tissue injuries, both of which can be painful and apt to linger.

Consult a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Ontario about a Claim

If you or your loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, discuss your case with a slip and fall lawyer to determine if you have a form of legal recourse. You might be able to file a claim to recover your damages.

For a free consultation with a slip and fall lawyer in Ontario, contact Preszler Law at 1-800-JUSTICE® today.