A slip-and-fall injury can cause injuries that may linger for years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that one in five adults suffers a serious injury from a sudden fall and that more than 800,000 people per year are admitted to hospitals after such an event.
Some slip-and-fall injuries are more common than others, and knowing what they are may help you monitor your health after you suffer an unexpected fall.
Head injuries
Slipping on ice or wet floors may cause you to fall backward and strike your head on a hard surface, such as concrete or tile. This could result in a variety of head injuries including bleeding in the brain, a skull fracture or a concussion. Some symptoms of head trauma are apparent and visible right away, including:
- Dizziness
- Slurred speech
- Rapid unconsciousness
Other symptoms may remain invisible and cause massive medical issues, such as strokes and even sudden death, so it is wise to see a doctor after a head injury, even if you do not feel the impact was severe.
Back trauma
Spinal trauma often occurs during slip-and-fall accidents that take place on hard surfaces and sometimes happen in tandem with head injuries, especially if you happen to fall backward. Numbness, partial paralysis or new or worsening back pain may result after a bad fall.
Fractures
Hip, wrist and pelvic fractures are common with slip-and-fall accidents, and the risk of these injuries are usually more severe when you are a senior. Hip fractures may cause secondary illnesses, such as infection, and cause hospitalization for weeks or even months.
Slip-and-fall injuries cost billions of dollars in medical costs each year. While not all falls are completely preventable, awareness and maintaining good health mat help you avoid injury.
