How Do You Know if a Fall Is Serious?

Falling accidents can result in serious injuries that can have long-term consequences. These accidents can occur in a variety of settings, including at home, at work, or in public places. Some of the most common injuries that result from falling accidents include fractures, sprains, and strains, which can be painful and may require extensive medical treatment.  

In some cases, falling accidents can also result in more serious injuries, such as head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and internal bleeding. These types of injuries can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.  

In addition to the physical injuries that may result from falling accidents, there can also be emotional and psychological impacts. These may include anxiety and depression. Falling accident injuries can significantly affect a person's overall quality of life and shouldn’t be taken lightly. 

But how do you know if a fall is serious? Understanding the severity of a falling accident is critical when you are the victim. 

In some cases, falling accidents are the result of a negligent person’s action. For instance, a property owner may have failed to properly maintain or repair their premises.  

If another party’s carelessness caused your injury, you might have a valid claim for financial compensation. Speak with one of the accomplished attorneys at Morgan & Morgan to review the facts of your case. 

When you fill out our firm’s simple contact form online, we will provide you with a free case evaluation.

Steps to Take After a Falling Accident

In the moments after an accident, it is normal to feel afraid and overwhelmed. You may find yourself wondering, “How do you know if a fall is serious?” 

Before thinking about the long-term implications or severity of your falling accident, take the following immediate steps: 

• Stay calm
• Do your best to assess the nature of your injury
• Call for help if you are in severe pain
• If you can move, do so slowly and carefully
• Call for medical assistance if your injury is obviously severe 

Also, keep a record of the fall. Important facts include the date, location, any injuries sustained, and your own personal experience.  

This information may be important for future medical care or insurance purposes. If your falling accident leads to a civil legal claim, it will be vital to have as much information as possible.

How Do You Know if a Fall Is Serious and Requires Medical Attention?

Victims of severe falling accident injuries should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. This is true regardless of the legal implications of the accident. 

There are many signs that a fall may be serious and require medical care. So how do you know if a fall is serious? If you experience any of the following, contact a medical professional immediately: 

• Difficulty standing or walking
• Loss of consciousness
• Head or neck pain
• Large wounds or bone protrusion
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Persistent abdominal pain
• Weakness or numbness in limbs
• Disorientation, confusion, or dizziness 

These symptoms may indicate a range of injuries, and some injuries resulting from falls are more serious and dangerous than others. But no matter the severity or nature of your injury, it is important to seek appropriate care. If you decide to pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault party, a record of your injury will be invaluable.  

Some injuries do not display immediate signs or symptoms. For this reason, it is vital to consult with a knowledgeable specialist regarding your medical status. 

How do you know if a fall is serious enough to require immediate care? Seek a medical assessment from a trained professional.

Common Injuries Resulting From Falling Accidents

Depending on the circumstances of your falling accident, many kinds of injuries may result. Falling accidents are one of the leading causes of personal injuries nationwide.  

Any type of injury can cause the victim to experience significant losses and costs. This is especially true in instances where the injured person is unable to work following their accident. 

Some typical examples of injuries caused by falling accident mishaps are:

Bruises and Cuts

Bruises and cuts are particularly likely if the victim falls onto a hard surface or onto sharp objects or broken glass.

Fractures

A fall can also result in fractures, or breaks, in the victim’s bones. The severity of these injuries can range from simple fractures to more complex fractures. 

Simple fractures are relatively easy to treat and usually can be fully healed. Complex or compound fractures may require extensive recovery times and surgical interventions.

Strains and Sprains

A sprain is an injury to a ligament, which is a band of tissue that connects at least two bones. Slips and trips can cause sprains or strains, particularly if the victim lands awkwardly or lands on an uneven surface. 

While these injuries rarely require extensive medical care, the victim may still be unable to walk for a period. The injured person may also experience severe pain.

Traumatic Brain Injuries 

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) happen when the brain is jolted or shaken inside the skull. Falls can result in TBIs, particularly if the victim falls from a significant height, falls onto a hard surface, or hits their head on an object or surface. 

Even minor TBIs require immediate medical care and attention. In some cases, brain injuries do not become apparent until the days or weeks after the initial accident. Because of this, you should speak with a medical care specialist following a blow to the head. A doctor can provide you with a reliable diagnosis quickly so that you can take the appropriate actions.  

Some of the most common symptoms and signs of a traumatic brain injury are: 

• Persisting headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Difficulty speaking
• Blurred vision
• Difficulty remembering or recalling
• Light and noise sensitivity
• Unexplained changes in mood or behavior
• Difficulty with balance or loss of coordination
• Unconsciousness in severe cases 

Severe TBIs may result in lifelong symptoms and conditions. Victims of these serious injuries deserve financial compensation from the responsible parties.

Dislocations

Dislocation injuries happen when a bone is forced out of its normal position in the joint. Falling accidents can result in dislocations, depending on how the victim lands. 

The joints that are most susceptible to dislocation injuries after a fall are: 

• Shoulders
• Elbows
• Wrists
• Fingers 

Dislocations can be very painful and require prompt medical care. Some of the symptoms of dislocation injuries include: 

• Stiffness of the joint
• Deformity at the point of the injury
• Severe and radiating pain
• Swelling of the joint 

Required medical treatments may include realignment of the bone in the joint. Severe dislocation injuries may require surgeries. This can help repair damaged soft tissue and stabilize the affected bones.  

No matter what type of injury you suffered as a result of your falling accident, the accomplished team at Morgan and Morgan can help. Our skilled personal injury lawyers have the extensive knowledge needed to fight effectively for you.

Understanding Property Liability Claims

A property liability claim is a legal action brought by an individual who was injured in a falling accident on another person’s property. The injured person is known as the plaintiff.  

In filing a property liability claim, this person is stating that the owner of the property (called the defendant) was negligent. The plaintiff argues that the property owner’s negligence resulted in their injuries. 

In a successful property liability lawsuit, the plaintiff must show that the defendant owed them a legal duty of care. They must provide evidence that the defendant breached their duty. Finally, the claimant must prove that the breach of duty caused the resulting injury or damage.  

Typically, the claimant must show that the property owner knew or should have known about the hazardous condition on their premises. Fulfilling a duty of care entails taking reasonable steps to fix hazards or to warn visitors about dangers on the property. 

If the claimant’s lawsuit is successful, they will be awarded financial payments from the at-fault party. These payments are known as damages and are intended to make up for the losses the victim experienced from the falling accident.

Compensatory Damages in Falling Accident Claims

When you have suffered an injury caused by a fall, you will likely experience more financial losses than you anticipate. Victims of falling accidents deserve to be compensated for the costs and losses they suffer. 

In personal injury claims, there are two common categories of compensatory financial payments. These are called economic and non-economic damages. 

Economic damages include payments for direct monetary expenses and losses. Most personal injury victims are unaware of the wide range of financial obligations that they will face.  

Typical examples of economic damages are: 

• Current and future medical care costs
• Lost wages and foregone income from missed work
• Long-term loss of earning ability
• Any associated property damage
• Other miscellaneous expenses 

Non-economic damages are compensatory payments that make up for intangible harms that victims face. Some of the most common examples of these damages include compensation for: 

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional turmoil
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Depression and anxiety disorders
• Loss of overall quality of life 

These damages can be very difficult to calculate in monetary terms. Because of this, it is critical to secure the services of a knowledgeable Morgan & Morgan tort attorney.