If you are injured on someone else’s property, you may need legal help to insure that you are protected from loss. Georgia law requires owners and occupiers of land (both homeowners and businesses) to keep their property safe for guests and customers. Defective or dangerous property conditions can result in a variety of accidents, especially slip and fall accidents.
The David Bell Law Firm has years of experience assisting clients who have been injured in falls on other people’s property, including falls caused by uneven pavement, rotting stairs, ice from frozen sprinkler systems, spills, leaking coolers and trash or other objects left on the floor. Slip-and-falls can occur anywhere: in homes, parking lots, stores, apartment complexes or even at vacation resorts. A slip and fall can result in both minor and serious injuries leading to costly medical treatment, lost time from work and chronic pain.
These are common injuries resulting from slip-and-falls:
1. Rotator Cuff Injuries
Your rotator cuff holds your shoulder in place and allows your arm and shoulder to move around. If you fall on your shoulder or upper back, you can tear your rotator cuff.
You may experience a chronic, dull ache that makes it hard to lift your arm or move your shoulder. If you’re a painter or a carpenter who needs to lift over your head, you may find it very hard to work. If you miss work or need to pay for physical therapy after a rotator cuff injury, you should consider filing a slip and fall lawsuit.
2. Muscle Strains
Muscle strains occur when your muscle fibers are stretched too far and tear. As you fall, you may extend an arm or leg to catch yourself, and you may tear one of your muscles. Colliding with the ground can also tear your muscle, especially if you fall onto your hand or knee.
Even acute muscle strains can cause severe pain and require you to miss work. Severe strains may make it impossible to move your arm or leg without pain, weakness, or spasms.
3. Sprained Wrists and Ankles
Sprains are damage to ligaments, not muscles. Ligaments are connective tissues that hold your bones or pieces of cartilage together in your joints. Falling onto your hand can sprain your wrist, and twisting as you fall can tear ligaments in your ankle, regardless of whether you catch yourself or not.
A sprained wrist can make it hard to grasp objects, type on a keyboard, or move your fingers. A sprained ankle can make it hard to stand or walk, even if you use crutches.
Mild wrist strains can take one to two weeks of recovery, and you may need to take time off work to recover. You can claim the money you would have earned by filing a slip and fall case.
4. Dislocated Shoulders
A dislocated shoulder occurs when your upper arm bone pops out of the socket in your shoulder blade. Falling onto your shoulder, upper back, or hand can move your upper arm bone out of place.
A dislocated shoulder can cause intense pain, numbness, and tingling, even if you don’t move your arm. Your shoulder may begin to swell, making it hard to move or apply pressure to your shoulder. You must get immediate medical attention, as a dislocated shoulder can damage nerves and blood vessels, leading to serious complications.
5. Torn MCLs and ACLs
Your MCL and ACL are two ligaments in your knee joint that allow you to move your leg back and forth. You are at high risk for a torn MCL or ACL if you twist your knee as you fall or land in a way that contorts your knee.
Torn MCLs and ACLs are extremely painful, especially when you try to stand up or move. Most people need to take time off from work and exercise in order to recover, leading to thousands of dollars in financial damages.
6. Nerve Damage
If any part of your body feels tingly or numb after a slip and fall, you may have experienced nerve damage. As time goes on, damaged nerves may create sharp pain and buzzing sensations that feel like you are being shocked with electricity. Damaged nerves in your hands can make it hard to hold objects, while damaged leg nerves can make it hard to walk or stand.
Nerve damage is a medical emergency, so go to your doctor if you believe you have it. You may need physical therapy, surgery, and several months of rest to make a complete recovery.
7. Spinal Cord Injuries
A 2021 study found that falls are the leading cause of traumatic spinal cord injuries. A broken vertebrae can damage your nerves, cut your blood vessels, and make it hard to lie down or move. Damage to the spinal cords can lead to paralysis, difficulty breathing, and a loss of sensation in your hands and feet.
8. Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury occurs when your brain cells tear, twist, bruise, or bleed after a slip and fall. Even a small bruise or bleeding can lead to memory loss, disorientation, paralysis, and death. A concussion can require years of physical therapy and treatment, and some people are forced to retire after experiencing one.
Go to your doctor immediately if you suspect that you have a traumatic brain injury. Signs of one include a worsening headache, an inability to focus your eyes, and ringing in your ears.
9. Bruises and Cuts
A bruise occurs when blood vessels beneath your skin break, causing your skin to become discolorated and sensitive. If your skin breaks, you may begin to bleed.
Many people regard bruises and cuts as minor injuries, but they can cause severe pain. Bacteria and viruses can enter through your cuts and infect your blood vessels, nerves, and muscles. Even if you have a small cut or small bruises, you should document your injuries and prepare for a personal injury lawsuit or premises liability case in case you experience complications.
Even if you have a small cut or small bruises, you should document your injuries and consult an attorney if you experience complications.
The Most Common Injuries From a Slip and Fall
Most people who experience a slip and fall develop cuts, bruises, and muscle strains. Even these mild injuries can cause pain that reduces your quality of life.
Damage to your knees, shoulders, and ligaments can cause you to miss days of work. Nerve and brain damage can cause you to miss weeks if not months.
Prepare your slip and fall case by getting treatment and documenting your injuries. You should then visit experienced personal injury attorneys near you.
The David Bell Law Firm serves Augusta residents with slip and fall injuries. Contact us for a free case review today.
