Adults often do not give slip-and-fall incidents the respect they deserve. Unless the person who falls is an older adult, other people may assume that their chances of serious injury are minimal. Some people go so far as to joke that people can gauge how old they appear to others based on whether strangers laugh or gasp in fear when that person slips and falls in the public space.
While advanced age does increase the likelihood of severe injury in a slip-and-fall scenario, people do not need to be in their 50s or beyond for a fall to cause major medical issues. Same-level falls can cause a number of injuries that require medical attention and may generate significant financial complications.
Traumatic brain injuries
The worst possible injury in a slip-and-fall situation is arguably a traumatic brain injury (TBI). If the person who falls hits their head on something nearby, that could cause bleeding or inflammation inside the skull. TBIs can cause a variety of different symptoms that may be permanent. They cost tens of thousands of dollars or more to treat and can drastically reduce an individual’s earning potential.
Broken bones
Older adults aren’t the only ones who might break bones when they fall. Anyone who falls too hard or at the wrong angle could break a bone in their arm or shoulder when they fall. Older adults may be at risk of fracturing ribs, hips and other larger bones. Broken bones can cost hundreds of dollars or more to treat, depending on their severity. They can also force people to take extended leaves of absence from work until their fracture heals.
Soft tissue injuries
When people fall, they can damage their connective tissue or muscles. People who try to catch themselves as they fall could overextend their shoulders or sprain something. They could develop painful bruises that temporarily affect their functional capabilities. They could also sustain lacerations that cause disfiguring scars and put them at risk of infections. Although most soft tissue injuries respond to treatment, they can generate medical expenses and might force people to take time away from work.
Reporting a slip-and-fall when it occurs and seeking medical attention makes it easier for people to recover their losses. Filing a premises liability lawsuit successfully can help people pay for medical care and recover lost wages.