Slip and fall accidents can happen in an instant—but the injuries they cause may last much longer. Whether you lose your footing on a slick floor or trip over an unseen hazard, a sudden fall can result in serious harm.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), slips, trips, and falls are among the leading causes of workplace injuries. However, they can happen anywhere—from grocery stores and parking lots to office buildings and construction sites.
What Is a Slip and Fall Accident?
A slip and fall accident occurs when someone loses their balance and falls due to a hazardous condition on someone else’s property. These accidents are a type of premises liability claim, which means the property owner or occupier may be legally responsible for your injuries if they failed to maintain safe conditions.
Slip and fall accidents can happen in a variety of settings, including:
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Wet or uneven floors in stores or restaurants
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Icy sidewalks and parking lots
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Poorly lit stairwells or walkways
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Loose rugs, mats, or flooring
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Cluttered or obstructed paths
Even what seems like a minor fall can result in serious injuries, especially for older adults or people with pre-existing health conditions. If a negligent property owner failed to fix or warn you about a dangerous condition, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim.
Here are top five injuries commonly associated with slip and fall accidents in Texas:
1. Sprains and Strains
You naturally brace yourself against the inevitable fall when you slip or trip. That tensing of muscles and any impact from the fall can lead to a sprain or strain. This often happens to knees, ankles, wrists, elbows, backs, and shoulders.
Treatment
Treatment for sprains and strains often involves stabilization of the appendage or body part so you cannot move and further damage the muscles or ligaments. A hard boot, ace bandage, or other stabilization device will sometimes be used. Urgent care centers, primary care physicians, and even emergency doctors can help with your sprain or strain.
2. Bruises and Contusions
Bruising—also known as a contusion—is one of the most common soft tissue injuries after a fall. These occur when blood vessels break under the skin due to blunt force trauma, often from hitting the ground or nearby objects.
They can be painful and last for days, weeks, or longer; however, they often do not require emergency medical treatment. Usually, over-the-counter medications like Ibuprofen and Tylenol can be used for minor soft tissue injuries. However, if you have a bleeding condition or other illness that puts you at a high risk for complications, you should consult a doctor.
3. Fractures (Broken Bones)
If you slip or trip and fall down hard, you may experience a bone fracture. Broken bones are common in the legs, arms, hips, and even back regions. Signs of a broken bone include severe pain, inability to move the body part, and bruising at the site.
Treatment
Broken bones should be treated by emergency medical treatment as quickly as possible so further damage does not occur. Serious fractures can impede blood flow and cause nerve damage.
4. Abrasions and Lacerations
When you fall and land on something hard, you can sustain abrasions and lacerations. Abrasions are wounds where the first lawyer of skin is scraped or rubbed off. Lacerations are cuts in the skin. Either of these can become major issues if they cover a large area of the body or become infected.
Treatment
Abrasions can usually be treated at work or home with over the counter antiseptic, creams, and band aids or gauze. Minor lacerations may be treated at home; however, for deeper or major lacerations stitches or staples may be needed.
5. Head Injuries and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
OSHA reported that head injuries are common with slips, trips, and falls. That includes mild, moderate, and severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which are sometimes called concussions. Concussions are actually a symptom of a TBI that may involve the following symptoms:
- Dizziness or nausea
- Confusion
- Headache
- Loss of consciousness
- Slurred speech or delayed response
Any time your head is injured, you should get emergency medical treatment as soon as possible. TBIs can have symptoms you don’t even realize and may impact your life in the long-term.
Hurt in a Slip and Fall in Texas? The Law Giant Can Help
If your slip and fall accident happened at work or was due to someone else’s irresponsible actions, you should talk to an attorney about a personal injury case. We have multiple offices that can help you:
- Texas Slip and Fall Lawyer
- Brownsville Slip and Fall Lawyer
- San Antonio Slip and Fall Lawyer
- McAllen Slip and Fall Lawyer
Get a Free Case Evaluation Today
If you were hurt in a slip and fall accident, someone else may be to blame. Call The Law Giant today at (866) 523-4167 or use our online contact form for a free case evaluation.
