A slip and fall accident could lead to soft tissue injuries, such as ankle and wrist sprains, tears in tendons and ligaments, and chronic pain. Cuts and abrasions can range from mild to severe, with some wounds requiring stitches.
Head injuries are another common result of slip and fall accidents. Minor concussions, mild and severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and skull fracture can have very serious effects on the individual’s quality of life.
Spinal cord injuries can cause the spinal cord to be either severed or compressed, requiring expensive and long-term injuries. Injuries sustained in the high cervical spinal cord can lead to quadriplegia, or full paralysis, whereas injuries in the lower spinal cord can lead to paraplegia, which is paralysis of the lower limbs.
A slip and fall accident could also cause bones to break. Injuries can range from minor fractures to severe breaks requiring numerous surgeries. Patients may also need treatment to heal the damaged tissue surrounding the bone and prevent chronic pain and neuromuscular dysfunction. Despite the obvious signs of a broken bone, such as extensive bleeding and swelling over the first 12 hours, broken bones can only be diagnosed with an X-ray exam.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Many slip and fall accidents occur due to negligence on the part of a business, such as:
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Debris lying on the floor
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Excessively wet floor and lack of warning sign
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Uneven floor or pavement, such as holes or indentations
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Unsafe construction or working zones
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Worker failure to take proper precautions
Injuries caused by negligence may be eligible for a personal injury lawsuit, and patients should speak to a lawyer as soon as possible.
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At Westcare Clinics, slip and fall accident injuries may be treated with injections, pain management techniques, and occupational medicine.
While patients are recovering from injuries, their doctor may recommend incorporating pain management techniques into their treatment plan, such as cold and heat therapy, physical therapy, gentle exercise, occupational therapy, music therapy, mind-body techniques, biofeedback, and therapeutic massage. Each patient will receive a customized treatment plan to help manage their pain.
Westcare Clinic doctors may perform a few types of joint and soft tissue injections, which include epidural injections (interlaminar and transforaminal), piriformis injection, sacroiliac joint injections, and trigger point injections. These injections can help ease pain and support recovery.
Occupational medicine focuses on helping an injured individual regain the strength and flexibility they need to go back to work. Westcare Clinics can help employers adapt the workplace to the physical limitations of their injured employee.
Survivors of slip and fall accidents may need complex, long-term care for their injuries. Advanced treatment may include physical therapy, chiropractic adjustment, acupuncture, and other forms of therapy. Westcare Clinics is here to support patients on their journey to healing and is happy to answer any questions they may have about obtaining advanced treatment.
A slip and fall accident could easily put someone in the hospital, requiring long-term care and treatment. Injuries can range from minor to severe, but could also be fatal.