7 Most Common Injuries Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents

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What Are the Top 7 Most Common Injuries Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents? 

Even some of the most seemingly innocuous trips or falls can result in serious injuries and it is fair to say that the majority of slips and fall accidents will result in an injury, some of which could be life-changing.  

Claiming compensation from injury could be something you need to do if you are involved in a slip and fall accident that could have been avoided if the right safety measures had been taken or proper notice was given of the potential danger. 

 Understanding what some of the most common injuries are can also help you know what sort of treatment program you might need to follow. Here is an overview of some of the most common injuries.  

Broken bones are always a possibility 

 It stands to reason that if you suffer a fall and land awkwardly you could end up putting more pressure on a part of your body that takes the brunt of the impact.  

Some of the most common injuries seen are a broken hip, wrist, and ankle.  

Of course, these fractures and broken bones can put you out of action for a number of weeks, but there is also the prospect of spine and nerve damage.  

Your spine and nerves are very fragile and if the fall is serious or you land in the worst way possible there is always the threat that your nerve damage may be permanent.  

Even a sprained ankle can interfere with your life and can take a long time to heal, which is why you might want to claim compensation. 

Damage to your knees  

Another common injury is damage to your knees and this damage often occurs when you suffer a trip or fall because you end up twisting your knee when you tumble and lose your footing.  

Your knees are actually quite a complicated component of your body that consists of a lot of bone and ligaments, all of which are prone to damage when you suffer an impact or fall awkwardly.  

It is often that a knee injury results in damage to your MCL or your ACL. These ligament tears can take a very long time to heal, especially if you manage to dislocate your patella.  

There is also the possibility that you could even need reconstructive surgery on your knee if the damage is extensive. 

 Damage to your shoulder is always a possibility  

It is a common physical reaction to reach out and try and break your fall if you slip or trip and that often means your shoulder could take a hit.  

Reaching out could mean you end up jarring your shoulder and suffering a muscle strain is also a distinct possibility when you land on your shoulder.  

Suffering a shoulder dislocation or muscle strain could require corrective surgery and it might take some time to fully recover from this sort of injury.  

Cuts and bruises  

Not all injuries you receive are going to be extensive or life-changing but it is surprising how a cut or bruise can cause more damage than the obvious physical damage that you can see after the slip or fall.  

A cut might not seem that serious but you could have suffered internal damage and there is the specter of disfigurement that you might have to contend with. 

It is always a good idea to take photographic evidence of any cuts and bruises you suffer and having a documented record of your injuries will help you if you have to claim compensation. 

Brain injury is always a threat when you fall  

Not all injuries are physically visible and that is particularly true of brain injuries.  

The first thing to point out is that you don’t have to suffer a direct impact to your had to suffer some sort of internal damage to your brain. Even when your brain suffers an unexpected and violent jolt rather than an actual physical blow, that could be enough to cause serious and permanent harm.  

It is advisable to get any potential damage checked straight away by a medical professional and report any subsequent noticeable changes you suffer, such as regular headaches or blurred vision.  

If a brain injury is left untreated and can trigger secondary injuries that can be even more serious to your health. 

 Always consider getting yourself checked over after a fall as you won’t see what might be going on inside your head after the impact.  

Soft tissue injuries  

It should be remembered that all soft tissue injuries are not always immediately apparent from your physical appearance.  

There is always the chance that you may not realize that you have suffered a soft tissue injury for some time after the accident.  

The problem with this is that soft tissue injuries can lead to chronic pain if left untreated, which is another compelling reason for seeking medical attention straight away so that you can be assessed for damage.  

Keep an eye out for any developing symptoms.  

Dislocation  

The two most common dislocation injuries are to your shoulders and fingers, which makes sense when you think about the defensive posture you might adopt as you fall.  

A dislocation occurs when two bones come together and they are forced from their normal positions. The visible signs of dislocation include a clearly noticeable deformity, plus abnormal swelling and discoloration.  

If you get this injury treated properly you should be able to return to normal functionality within a few weeks of suitable rest and rehabilitation. 

 It can sometimes be difficult to differentiate between a broken or dislocated bone which is why you should seek a medical opinion as soon as possible to determine the extent of your injuries.  

Another compelling reason for getting medical attention is the fact that there are potential complications attached to a dislocation injury, such as nerve or blood vessel damage, and greater susceptibility to arthritis at a later stage of life. 

Understanding some of the most common injuries that occur from a slip, trip or fall incident should help you to appreciate why it is important that you act quickly after it has happened and get the medical and professional help you need.