Slip and fall accidents may seem like minor mishaps, but they can lead to serious and long-lasting injuries. These accidents can occur anywhere, such as at work, on sidewalks, in parking lots, apartment buildings, or stores. The resulting injuries can cause significant pain, lead to expensive medical bills, and force you to miss work while you recover.
The slip and fall lawyers at Shamieh Law can help you secure the compensation you need after an accident and hold responsible parties accountable. With over 40 years of combined experience representing victims throughout Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, our lawyers are equipped to handle your case and get you the results you deserve.
Understanding Slip and Fall Injuries
Falls can cause serious injuries, particularly for older adults or people with preexisting health conditions. Recovery may take longer or be more complicated if the person already has underlying medical issues. Several factors can affect the severity of a fall, including the surface where it happens, how the person lands, and their overall health and age.
Younger individuals generally recover more quickly, while older adults may face a more difficult recovery. For example, a 21-year-old who trips on a loose carpet and lands on a soft surface is likely to suffer fewer injuries than a 50-year-old who slips on a wet tile floor.
Common Injuries in Slip and Fall Accidents
Common injuries from slip and fall accidents can include:
Head and Brain Injuries
Falls can result in serious head or brain injuries, such as concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), skull fractures, or brain swelling. Common symptoms include nausea, headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, and changes in mood or behavior. Some symptoms may not appear right away and can develop hours or even days after the accident.
Because delayed symptoms are common, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately after a fall. Ignoring potential head injuries can cause the condition to worsen and, in severe cases, become life-threatening.
Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
Back and spinal cord injuries can lead to serious and lasting health problems, including chronic pain, partial or complete paralysis, nerve damage, limited mobility, and sensations of tingling or numbness. These injuries may involve herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, or other spinal damage, and can affect any part of the spine, from the neck and upper back to the lower back.
Broken or Fractured Bones
A slip and fall accident can easily cause broken or fractured bones, especially in older adults whose bones are more fragile with age. These injuries often involve the hips, wrists, arms, legs, or ankles and can be severe enough to require surgery. Surgical procedures may come with additional risks and long recovery periods, making falls particularly dangerous for older individuals.
Shoulder and Neck Injuries
When someone experiences a fall, their natural instinct is to reach out to catch themselves, which can lead to shoulder or neck injuries and sometimes broken bones if the impact is strong. Slip and fall accidents often cause dislocated shoulders, whiplash, or muscle strains that can limit movement and result in long-term pain.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Falls can also cause soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and deep bruises that may be extremely painful, even if they are not immediately visible. These injuries can involve muscle damage, internal bruising, or torn ligaments that limit movement and take time to heal. Recovery often depends on the severity of the injury, and returning to normal activities too soon can worsen the condition or lead to long-term complications.
Hip Injuries
Hip injuries, including fractured or broken hips, are among the most serious injuries an older adult can suffer. They often require hip replacement surgery or an extended recovery period with ongoing medical care. According to UCLA Health, more than 300,000 adults over age 65 are hospitalized each year for hip fractures, and nearly all of these injuries result from falls. Recovery can be difficult, as hip fractures may severely limit mobility and lead to complications during or after surgery.
Cuts and Lacerations
Falls can cause cuts or lacerations from sharp edges, broken glass, or debris encountered during the fall. While these injuries may seem minor, they can become infected if not properly treated and may leave lasting scars.
Long-Term Effects of Slip and Fall Injuries
Usually, once you recover from your injuries, you can return to your normal life, but sometimes slip and fall accidents can cause long-term effects that might impact many parts of your life. These include:
Chronic Pain and Mobility Issues
Many people who experience slips and falls may face long-term challenges, such as ongoing pain or trouble moving, which can affect their quality of life, work, or even prevent them from returning to their previous roles. These problems can lead to major changes, like limiting daily activities, and what was once easy might become very difficult after an accident.
Emotional and Psychological Impact
Accidents, especially if you experience ongoing pain afterward, can lead to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Victims may also develop fears of falling again, and these worries can have serious emotional and psychological effects that change how you go about your day.
Financial Consequences
Slip and fall accidents can lead to significant financial burdens for victims, sometimes causing missed work, lost wages, or injuries that prevent them from returning to their previous jobs. Victims should always seek medical attention after an accident, but serious injuries can result in high medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, or long-term care costs, which is often why victims need to pursue compensation.
Proving Negligence in a Slip and Fall Injury Case
To succeed in a slip and fall injury claim, you must prove that you were lawfully on the property and that the property owner or manager acted negligently. In Texas, this can be shown by establishing that:
- The property owner owed you a duty of care to keep the premises reasonably safe.
- The owner or manager knew or should have known about a dangerous condition and failed to correct it or provide adequate warning.
- This failure caused your slip and fall accident.
- The accident resulted in damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
Texas law classifies visitors as invitees, licensees, or trespassers, with invitees such as customers or tenants receiving the highest duty of care. To recover compensation, you must show that you were legally on the property, that a hazardous condition existed, and that the owner either knew or should have known about it and failed to fix or warn about it.
Proving negligence can be complex, but a skilled slip and fall lawyer can help. The attorneys at Shamieh Law will investigate your accident, gather crucial evidence, and build a strong case to hold the responsible parties accountable and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Injured in a Slip and Fall? Shamieh Law Can Help You Recover
If you’ve suffered an injury after a fall in a store or residential building, don’t wait to seek help. These accidents can be serious, and you deserve compensation so you can begin your recovery. Our experienced slip and fall attorneys are ready to help you hold responsible parties accountable and fight for the compensation you need to heal and move forward.
Contact Shamieh Law today for a free consultation or call (469) 813-7332.