What Does a “Slip And Fall Injury” Really Mean?
Slip and fall injuries are one of the most common accidental injuries. You probably hear about them a lot in terms of personal litigation and healthcare, but you may not know exactly what the term means. When talking about slip and fall injuries, we are really referring to a wide range of potential injuries that have a similar cause. That is, as you would guess, injuries that occur as a result of slips and falls. The term simply refers to the method of the injury, not the nature of it.
Due to the broad nature of this type of injury, there are a whole lot of specific injuries that can be categorized as “slip and fall”. This includes, but is not limited to:
Head Injuries
Everything from minor concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can result from a slip or fall. In many cases, the injury may not be immediately apparent. It is critical to seek out medical attention if you slip or fall and hit your head. The stakes can be quite high with this type of injury, so you don’t want to risk waiting too long before getting help.
Bone Injuries
It’s fairly obvious how these injuries occur due to a slip and fall accident. Sometimes the impact of a fall can be quite hard, which puts an inordinate amount of stress on the bones at the point of impact. Breaks and fractures can range from relatively minor to major injuries that require surgery or other invasive treatments. Since it is impossible to diagnose a broken or fractured bone without an x-ray, these potential injuries pose another significant reason to seek out medical attention as soon as possible.
Spinal Cord Injuries
These injuries can include spinal cord compression or even severance. They are always significant and serious. If you believe you have injured your spinal cord in a slip or fall, seek medical attention immediately. Damage to your spinal cord and nerves can have substantial and life-long effects on your body and health.
Soft Tissue Injuries
This category can include injuries that range from sprains to ligament or tendon damage. They may not be immediately obvious, but leaving them untreated can lead to long-term chronic pain and a long recovery. In many cases, they are not serious, but it is worth ruling out a significant issue as soon as you reasonably can.
Minor or Superficial Injuries
These types of injuries include things like bruises, abrasions or minor cuts and wounds. They typically require limited treatment like stitches or treatments that can be done at home such as applying ice or keeping a wound clean while it heals.
Getting Help from Dr. Keren Gomez
If you have an injury as a result of a slip and fall accident, we are expertly trained and experienced to help you assess and treat injuries from a slip and fall accident. We can help rule out the bigger problems or ensure prompt treatment if your injury is more serious. Please give Dr. Gomez and her team a call today at 305-761-6528 (Dade), 954-510-5518 (Broward) or 561-414-2401 (Palm Beach) to book your assessment.