Catastrophic Injuries
Common Types of Slip, Trip, and Fall Injuries
Slips, trips, and falls remain a leading cause of injuries for people throughout Indiana. And while older Indiana residents face the most serious after-effects from a fall, these accidents affect Hoosiers of all ages.
In some cases, the cause of a slip and fall may not have a specific theory of liability, nor can anyone else be placed at fault for the victim’s accident. However, there are times when a slip and fall case investigation reveals third party negligence, such as when a landlord fails to maintain a property, or when a store fails to properly address a wet floor hazard.
In order to potentially recover compensation in a slip and fall case, it must be proven that the owner knew about (or should have known about) the dangerous condition and did not make an appropriate or timely effort to correct or fix the hazard.
Below, we take a look at some of the injury types Boulton Law Group has helped Indiana residents with after they experienced a slip, trip, and fall.
Common Slip, Trip, and Fall Injuries
Soft Tissue Injuries – Otherwise known as “invisible injuries,” these injuries aren’t seen by the naked eye but are commonly sustained in a fall.
When someone falls, they will instinctively try to brace themselves using their hands or another part of the body, and this is when you commonly see ligament and/or tendon damage to the wrists, knees, or ankles.
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Free Case ReviewHead Injuries – If you follow sports, you’re aware of the attention concussions have received over the last several years, and it’s been for good reason, as head injuries have the potential to be a type of “traumatic invisible injury.”
If a fall results in the person’s head making contact with an object or the ground, the potential injuries can run a wide range, including swelling, bleeding, minor concussions, and/or in severe cases a traumatic brain injury.
Spinal Cord Injuries – While many people associate spinal cord injuries with falls from a significant height, such as an accident that might occur at a construction site, this is not always the case.
In truth, slips, trips, and falls are some of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries, and any fall has the potential to cause spinal cord damage. In the most serious examples, damage to the spinal cord can result in permanent paralysis and/or death.
Broken Bones – A common concern for anyone who has suffered a serious fall is whether or not they may have broken a bone. In addition to the immediate pain, depending on the type of break, the victim may require surgery and/or physical therapy.
As is the case with any type of injury, broken bones have the potential to occur from seemingly innocent falls. One such example involved a former client who tripped over a crumbled parking bumper in a fast-food parking lot and sustained a compound fracture.
Cuts and Lacerations – Similar to soft-tissue injuries, cuts and abrasions are common after-effects of a slip, trip, or fall. Depending on the severity of the cut, the person may require a simple topical cream, or in more serious instances, stitches/sutures to properly close the wound.
Common Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazards
A slip, trip, or fall can happen anywhere, however, there are some environments/conditions that Boulton Law Group regularly investigates on behalf of injured Indiana residents, including:
- Store or restaurant parking lots, e.g., damaged pavement, parking bumpers, or inclement weather.
- Rental properties, e.g., faulty handrails or staircases.
- Grocery store aisle hazards, such as spills or unshelved inventory.
- Construction site falls due to faulty safety equipment or OSHA violations.
In reality, there is an unlimited number of potential hazards or conditions that can lead to a fall. For this reason, it is important that you always be cognizant of your surroundings and take proper precautions against any potential cause for a slip, trip, or fall.
Questions About Your Slip & Fall Injury Case? Talk to Matt!
Attorney Matt Boulton has been helping injured Hoosiers and their families for more than 20 years. In addition to recovering compensation for car accident victims, Matt has routinely helped a number of clients who suffered a serious injury due to a fall.
Indiana slip, trip, and fall cases can be especially difficult to pursue due to state and local laws, however, you should always seek the opinion of an experienced Indianapolis slip and fall attorney to learn more about your rights and whether or not you potentially have any claim for compensation.
Boulton Law Group offers all slip and fall accident victims a Zero Fee Guarantee. Our promise means that you will never be charged for friendly legal advice, and the firm receives nothing for our efforts or time unless we make a recovery on your behalf.
Contact Matt by phone today to learn more about your potential options, or write to us using our confidential contact form. Matt personally reviews all website contacts received at our firm.
Author Matt Boulton
