How serious are slip and fall accidents? According to data compiled by the National Floor Safety Institute, they account for over 1 million visits to hospital emergency rooms each year for personal injuries. They are also the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims, while half of all accidental deaths in the home also stem from these accidents.

If you have been injured because a property owner failed to correct or mitigate a slip and fall hazard on their premises (building and grounds), you may be able eligible for compensation. If you suffered an injury in a fall while on the job that has put you out of work for five days or more, you are entitled to and deserve workers’ compensation benefits.

A Boston slip and fall accident lawyer from the Earley Law Group is fully committed to recovering full compensation for clients injured in slip and fall accidents. We understand how traumatic the loss of mobility or more serious injuries after a fall can be for our clients, both physically and emotionally. But if someone else’s negligence led to your fall, personal injury law is on your side. Contact us today for more information.

What Injuries Can You Get from a Fall?

Falls can have long-term ramifications, especially among older adults. Because their bones and other soft tissue are more fragile, healing takes longer and is less complete.

The following are some of the injuries commonly experienced in a slip and fall accident:

Fractures and Broken Bones

The impact of falling and hitting the ground (floor, pavement, etc.) is one of the most frequent causes of broken bones. A bone may be completely fractured or partially fractured in any number of ways (crosswise, lengthwise, in multiple pieces). Fractures are repaired by putting the broken pieces back into position, sometimes through surgery, and preventing them from moving out of place until they are healed, such as in a cast.

Head and Traumatic Brain Injuries

A blow to the head in a fall can cause permanent damage to the brain and its ability to function correctly. A mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is known as a concussion. Most victims of a concussion recover fully with rest over several weeks. A severe TBI is usually marked by an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury and is likely to cause long-term complications that include physical and cognitive deficits. A severe TBI requires emergency medical care, which often includes brain surgery, which is followed by a lengthy recovery and rehab.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Injuries to muscles, ligaments and tendons can range from minor strains and sprains to more serious tears and ruptures. Sometimes pain relief medication, rest, and icing is all that’s needed to ease a minor injury. Major injuries require reparative surgery and physical therapy, but still result in chronic pain and reduced mobility.

Sprained Ankles or Wrists

Twisting soft tissue in wrist and ankle joints during a fall or landing on these large and sensitive joints can cause painful injuries. Sprains and strains can take a long time to heal, making it hard to use the affected hand or to walk on a sprained ankle.

Knee Injuries

The knee is the body’s largest joint with three bones (kneecap, or patella; thighbone, or femur; and shinbone, or tibia) and several large ligaments that connect the bones and support the joint. A direct blow from falling onto the knee or knees can fracture or dislocate one or more bones. More common are ligament tears, such as to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or the medial collateral ligament (MCL). Many people suffer chronic pain and loss of flexibility after knee injuries.

Dislocated Shoulders

The shoulders are ball-and-socket joints surrounded by muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissue. A blow to the shoulder in a fall can cause the upper arm bone (humerus) to come out of the shoulder socket. A “separated shoulder,” occurs when a ligament that connects the shoulder blade to the collarbone has been torn. Shoulder injuries may require surgery and immobilization, and can cause chronic pain, limited motion and/or weakness in the arm.

Back, Neck, and Spinal Cord Injuries

A fall can lead to injury in and around the vertebrae of the back and neck, including to the spinal cord, which threads the vertebrae. Fractured vertebrae can impinge on spinal discs and nerves, which is painful and immobilizing. Back surgery risks increasing the damage and when “successful” often does not completely relieve pain. Injury to the spinal cord can cause partial or total paralysis below the point of injury, which is incurable.

Hip Fractures

A hip fracture usually requires a combination of reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation, and medication to manage pain and prevent blood clots and infection. The CDC says broken hips are one of the most serious fall injuries, and many people are unable to live on their own afterward.

Factors Contributing to Injuries in Boston

People slip, trip, and fall for many reasons, including in accidents caused by:

  • Wet and slippery floors caused by spills, tracked-in rain, snow, or similar, as well as by mopping, waxing, and buffing
  • Cluttered floors and walkways (such as aisles, corridors, sidewalks, and breezeways)
  • Poorly lighted and uneven surfaces in walkways, stairwells, parking garages, or similar
  • Loose carpets, area rugs, and mats that shift or slide when stepped on
  • Tears and holes in carpets, rugs, mats, floorboards, or linoleum that cause tripping accidents
  • Broken or loose stairs, stair treads, or handrails that give-way with the weight of users 
  • Potholes in parking lots or yards
  • Tools, equipment, supplies, or debris left in overgrown grass and weeds
  • Malfunctioning elevators and escalators that start or stop abruptly or stop misaligned with floors or landings

How Soon Should You See a Doctor After a Slip and Fall?

If you do not require emergency care and go to the hospital in an ambulance after falling, you should see a doctor within 24 hours of being hurt in a slip and fall accident. Many serious injuries, including potentially fatal head injuries, can initially cause only mild symptoms.

Most slip and fall injury claims seek payment for the accident victim’s medical expenses and pain and suffering. Records of receiving a prompt medical exam and a follow-up course of treatment will be strong evidence of your injury, its cost, and its impact on you.

Contact a Boston, MA, Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Today

If you have been injured in a fall on someone else’s property or at work in Massachusetts, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical costs, lost income and more. Don’t wait for the property owner’s insurance company to simply cut you a check — or certainly not one that reflects everything you are owed. Let a Boston slip and fall accident lawyer help you recover maximum compensation for your injury.

At Earley Law, we can also help you recover workers’ compensation after a fall injury suffered on the job. With a track record of victories in court and at the settlement table, we know how to aggressively pursue full compensation. Best of all, we will never charge you anything unless we recover money for your accident claim. Reach out to us today to get started on your case.