Slip and fall accidents are far more common than people may realize. Every year, millions of people end up in the emergency room for injuries sustained from a slip and fall accident, including back injuries, which can be especially devastating. Back injuries can prevent you from taking care of daily responsibilities like caring for your family, working, doing household chores, and driving. While any back injury is detrimental to your well-being and livelihood, it's made worse if the reason for the accident is due to someone else's negligence.
Suppose you've suffered a back injury because of a negligent property owner. In that case, you may have grounds to seek compensation through a premises liability claim. When dangerous conditions exist on someone's property, it unnecessarily puts others at risk for injury. Property owners could be liable to pay for the expenses and losses of an injured party if they were negligent in the care and maintenance of the premises. Morgan and Morgan are here to help you through this tough situation. But first, let's look at common back injuries that can occur from a slip-and-fall accident and the options for treatment.
Back Pain After A Slip-And-Fall Accident
Generally, you fall backward if you slip because of a slick or icy surface. If you trip over an object, you will likely fall forward. Both of these scenarios can result in a back injury. Unfortunately, many people that suffer back injuries from slip and fall accidents may not realize how bad it is until later. Anytime you feel back pain after a slip and fall, you should seek immediate medical care. These injuries can be quite serious and put you at risk for life-long complications. Here are some of the most frequent back injuries that result from a slip and fall accident:
Cervical spine injuries - A cervical spine injury can be the most serious and could result in paralysis and even death. The higher up an injury occurs in the vertebral column, the more significant the effect on the body, including loss of sensation and bodily function. Fractures or bone instability can cause damage to nerves and the spinal cord. A fracture is typically accompanied by substantial pain and stiffness in the neck region as well as other areas of the body due to compression.
A cervical dislocation occurs when a fall causes two or more bones to become misaligned, resulting in substantial pain and loss of motor function.
Cervical sprains and strains occur when the neck tendons and muscles are overstretched during the initial impact from a fall. These injuries usually subside after a few weeks, but some suffer from pain and limited mobility for months.