Types of Back Injuries From Falls

Many people underestimate how seriously you can be injured when you fall. Every year thousands of people suffer severe injuries when they fall, even if it isn’t from a very high height. Some of the worst injuries that you can suffer from falls are back injuries.

The back is the core of the human body. It holds the spinal cord, which is the main nerve that runs between the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal column also provides stability.

A back injury can result in lifelong consequences, especially if it isn’t treated right away. This is why it is important to understand the types of back injuries from falls and the potential consequences.

It is equally important to know the contact information of an experienced slip and fall lawyer if you do injure your back in a fall. Since most people can’t afford expensive medical attention after a fall, an experienced attorney may be able to get you compensation for your injury.

If you have suffered a back injury after falling, contact the attorneys at Morgan & Morgan immediately to schedule a free case evaluation.

10 Types of Back Injuries From Falls

There are several ways that you can fall down and roughly 10 distinct back injuries you can suffer in those falls. These are the most common types of back injuries from falls and how they affect you.

1. Twisting of the Spine

This type of injury is most common if you fall while playing a sport. This is particularly true if you are playing a contact sport like football.

Typically, if you fall in one direction while your body is moving in another direction, you can end up with a twisted spine. An injury like this can cause pain and difficulty moving for the rest of your life. If you were injured while playing organized sports, a lawyer might be able to get you compensation from the organizer.

2. Compression Injury or Slipped Disc

One of the most vulnerable parts of your back is the discs between your vertebrae. These discs are made of soft tissue and can relatively easily slip out of place or get crushed during a fall.

This is another injury that often lasts a long time, particularly if it isn’t treated quickly. Once a disc slips, even if it is put back in place, there is a serious risk that it will slip again in the future.

3. Broken Ribs

The good news if you break your ribs during a fall is that your ribs did their job. The reason your ribs exist is to protect more vulnerable portions of your anatomy from getting injured.

Unfortunately, the bad news is that ribs often take a long time to heal fully, and the recovery process is usually quite painful. Broken ribs usually make it hard to sleep or breathe and can prevent you from working until they are healed.

4. Paralysis

Paralysis is one of the most feared results of any back injury. If your spinal cord is cut or severely damaged, you could lose the ability to control your lower extremities. In the best-case scenario, you might just lose the ability to control your legs. However, if you aren’t as lucky, you could end up unable to move any portion of your body beneath your head.

The only good news about paralysis is that there have been some cases where paralyzed people have managed to regain the use of some or all of their limbs. The process of recovering, if it is possible, is long and painful, unfortunately.

5. Whiplash

Typically, whiplash is a back injury that is primarily associated with car accidents. But it can also happen during a fall. For example, if you fall from a height while attached to a rope, you could suffer whiplash at the end of your fall.

Whiplash is usually quite painful and often grows worse over the years. However, if you receive medical attention for it right away from a specialist, you can potentially fully recover. Like all other types of back injuries from falls, if you suffer whiplash, you should consult with a doctor immediately.

6. Nerve Damage

Not all nerve damage results in paralysis, as most nerve damage isn’t as serious. If you bruise the spinal cord or lightly compress it, there is a good chance you will experience consequences like numbness or occasional uncontrollable tics.

Similar to other damage to your nervous system, this type of damage usually lasts for your entire life. There is little that medical science can do to correct most nerve damage. And any repairs will probably require surgery.

If you opt for surgery to repair nerve damage, it will be extremely expensive, and you will probably only be able to afford it if you receive compensation from an insurance company. A Morgan & Morgan attorney may be able to help you receive that compensation.

7. Broken Hip

This type of injury is most common in older adults. Their bones tend to be more brittle than those of younger folks, and their legs tend to be weaker. This results in a lot of falls that lead to broken bones. Hips are particularly vulnerable to breaking in older adults.

Unfortunately, a broken hip will likely require surgery to repair and may result in the person being wheelchair-bound for the rest of their life. This is the reason that older adults should be very careful when walking. It is also why elder facilities should take care to help senior citizens move about without harm.

8. Open Wounds

Sometimes it isn’t the fall that hurts you but rather what you fall into. For example, if you fall through a glass window, the main harm you will suffer is lacerations from the broken glass.

These types of open wounds aren’t particularly common with falls, but they aren’t unheard of either. If you have multiple lacerations on your back after a fall, you need to receive immediate medical attention. Wounds often lead to infection, and any infection in the torso can be life-threatening.

9. Tendon, Muscle, or Ligament Damage

Your back is more than just bones and skin. It also has tendons, muscles, and ligaments. And if you have ever pulled a muscle in your back, the pain is immediate. Every movement hurts, including breathing.

Thankfully, these types of injuries are relatively short-lived, though tears will likely require surgery to correct. If you do require surgery, this type of fall injury is unlikely to last a lifetime.

Unfortunately, while you are suffering from a tendon, muscle, or ligament injury, you will probably be unable to do almost anything. This means you could easily miss weeks or even months of work.

10. Kidney Damage

One of the scariest injuries you can suffer during a fall is kidney damage. These organs are located in your back and can be injured in a fall. If you are very unlucky, a fall could puncture or rupture your kidney.

If you are unlucky enough to suffer a kidney injury, you will likely need emergency surgery within hours of getting injured. Without it, there is a good chance you will die. Luckily, if only one kidney is injured, you should be able to live the rest of your life with minimal inconvenience.