Slip and fall accidents can occur when property owners overlook unsafe conditions on their premises, leading to someone getting hurt. While a fall happens in an instant, its impact can last for years. Common injuries from slip and fall accidents often lead to costly medical bills, time away from work, emotional stress, and frustrating interactions with the insurance company.
If you were hurt in a slip and fall accident, understanding the full impact of your injury and how it affects your future are factors that can be considered in a potential claim for compensation. We can help make sure that all factors are considered and accounted for in a potential claim, and help you understand what that could look like. Contact us today for a free consultation with our legal team to learn more.
Most Common Slip and Fall Accident Injuries
The kind of injury someone suffers from a slip and fall accident depends on the location of the fall and how they land. Some of the most common injuries in falls include:
Broken Bones
People who fall often break bones, especially wrists, arms, ankles, legs, and hips. Landing awkwardly on stairs or hard surfaces increases the risk of a break, which can take months or longer to heal. Older adults and people with bone density conditions are at higher risk for serious breaks.
A severely broken bone can make it hard to move, work, or care for yourself and those who depend on you. If someone else’s carelessness caused your accident, you deserve compensation for these challenges.
Head Injuries
Head injuries are another common type of slip and fall injury, which may include concussions and more serious traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). In many cases, people will hit their head on the ground or on hard objects as they fall, leading to a head injury.
Depending on the severity of the head injury, symptoms may include physical, neurological, cognitive, and behavioural effects, such as:
- Chronic headache
- Dizziness and nausea
- Blurry or double vision
- Confusion or feeling foggy
- Memory loss
- Slower response times
- Irritability or personality changes
- Weakness or numbness
- Seizures or convulsions
- Permanent cognitive impairments
Head injuries can be very serious and may have lasting effects. A lawyer can work with your doctors to understand how your injuries impact your life and seek financial support for you.
Neck, Back, and Spine Injuries
Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries can happen when someone falls backward or twists while trying to break their fall. Common back injuries from slip and fall accidents include:
- Whiplash and neck muscle strains
- Herniated discs
- Compression fractures
- Fractured vertebrae
- Broken tailbone
- Complications that cause sciatica, such as spinal misalignments that compress the sciatic nerve
- Serious spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
Severe spinal cord injuries are especially dangerous because they can affect your ability to move, feel, and control body functions. If you or a loved one suffered a neck, back, or spinal cord injury after a fall, a lawyer can include future medical costs and other needs in your claim.
Knee Injuries
When someone falls unexpectedly, it can cause them to twist their knee in ways that can cause serious damage. Types of knee injuries that can result from slip and fall accidents are:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear
- Medical collateral ligament (MCL) tear
- Meniscus tears
- Patella (knee cap) fractures or dislocations
Knee injuries are painful and can significantly affect a person’s mobility during the recovery process. Your lawyer can seek compensation for your pain and suffering, as well as your financial losses, and make sure any settlement offer reflects the full scope of how your injury affects you.
Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries can also result from slip and fall accidents, often resulting from the person falling onto their shoulder or attempting to catch themselves. This can cause unnatural twisting or pulling, leading to:
- Dislocation
- Separation
- Rotator cuff tear
- Broken clavicle (collarbone)
Other Soft Tissue Injuries
Falls can cause soft-tissue damage and other injuries like bruises, sprains, and strains. Even if these seem less serious, getting medical help can ease pain, prevent infection, and stop things from getting worse. It also creates a medical record that documents that your injury was caused by the slip and fall accident.
Factors That Affect the Severity of Injuries
Although some injuries are more common than others, everyone is unique, and some individuals are more susceptible to serious issues. For example, older adults and those with medical conditions or mobility issues may have a higher risk of slip and fall accidents. They may also be more prone to life-altering injuries.
Different factors that can increase the risk of severe injuries include:
- The person’s age
- Overall health
- How far the person falls
- The surface where the person fell
- The angle at which the person fell
Additionally, how hard the person falls will make a difference. The harder the impact, the more force is transferred into the body when they land, leading to more severe injuries.
What To Do After a Slip and Fall
While a sudden slip and fall accident can be painful and confusing, there are steps you can take to get the medical care you need and protect your right to claim compensation. Here are things to keep in mind immediately following a slip and fall accident:
- Try to stay calm and assess yourself for injuries.
- If needed, seek medical attention right away.
- If possible, take pictures or videos of the area where you fell.
- Report the accident to the property owner or store manager.
- Consider speaking with an experienced slip and fall lawyer to discuss your rights and legal options.
We know it’s not always possible to collect details at the scene, especially if you need urgent medical care. Don’t worry—our team can handle everything, from gathering evidence to building your case and speaking with the at-fault party’s insurance company on your behalf.
Supporting Recovery and Preventing Further Injury
Even if you feel okay after a slip and fall, returning to work or daily activities too soon can make injuries worse or slow down your recovery.
To support your health and avoid complications while you recover, it is important to follow your doctor’s guidance on:
- Safe movements to do on your own
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Getting enough rest
- Monitoring symptoms from home
- Timelines of when to return to work and other activities
- Tips for self-care and overall wellness
- Resources available to support your recovery
Remember, you’re not alone after a slip and fall accident. You can work with medical and legal professionals who will be by your side every step of the way.
Why Albertans Choose Litco Law for Slip and Fall Claims
Litco Law has served clients across Alberta since 1976. We’re Lawyers You’ll Love because we work hard to make your life easier after an accident, offering award-winning legal service and making sure you feel cared for and supported.
We offer immediate assistance if you’ve suffered a personal injury from a slip and fall accident. You can start with a free consultation to learn more about your legal options and what to expect if you have our legal team advance a claim for you. We’ll walk you through the claims process, offer free legal answers from our team, and help you find the solution—even if we’re not it.
If you decide to work with us, we never bill by the hour. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t pay us anything while your claim progresses. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement we recover for you, and you’ll know that percentage before you ever hire us.
Personalized Client Support
Our goal is to change the way people think about the legal industry. That’s why we go the extra mile to provide exceptional service with:
- A team-based approach: When you work with us, you don’t just get a lawyer. You get your own personal legal team that will be with you throughout the course of your claim. We call this team a “pod.” It includes a lawyer, a case manager, a client care specialist, and a legal assistant. They are with you from day one, getting to know your needs and preferences to better serve you.
- Clear and consistent communication: We provide regular updates on your claim every 30 days or less, and a 24-hour response time for messages and questions.
- Convenient technology: If you prefer to communicate online, we offer virtual meetings and an intuitive client portal to deliver an easier and more efficient legal experience. You can check the status of your claim at any time, from anywhere.
Slip and Fall Injury FAQs
Below are answers to questions we often hear about slip and fall injuries. To get answers specific to your situation, reach out for a free consultation.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From a Slip and Fall Injury?
The time it takes to recover from a slip and fall injury is different for each person and injury. While some injuries take weeks or months to heal, more severe injuries can take longer or have permanent effects on a person’s life. It’s best to follow your doctor’s recommended treatment plan to support healing.
When Should I See a Doctor After a Fall?
You should see a doctor as soon as you can after a slip and fall injury. This ensures you get the care you need and creates a record of your injury, which documents that the injury resulted from the slip and fall accident. Your lawyer can use these records when seeking compensation for your losses.
Can a Slip and Fall Cause Long-Term Health Issues?
Yes, some slip and fall injuries can result in long-term or permanent health conditions, including chronic pain and mobility issues. While nothing can change what happened, a premises liability lawyer can factor in your long-term losses and future medical care needs when claiming compensation.
Our Alberta Legal Team Can Help You Today
If a property owner’s carelessness led to your slip and fall injuries, we know the struggles and frustration you’re facing. Our Alberta slip and fall lawyers have helped clients like you pursue justice for decades, and we’re ready to help you when you need us.
Call (403) 273-8580 or contact us online for a free consultation with our team today. We can answer your questions, explain your rights, and help you find a path forward.
