There are more than two million emergency room visits every year involving a fall. Despite the common belief that only elderly people fall, slip & fall accidents are a common occurrence in people of all ages. However, those over 65 have a much higher risk of injury after a slip and fall or trip and fall accident.
Back injuries are some of the most serious injuries from an accident. The spinal cord is the body’s conduit between the brain and the rest of the body. Because the spine consists of a series of bone and cartilage that protect the spinal cord, any damage can directly impact the entire body, including loss of movement in extremities. Severe back injuries can be debilitating.These types of accidents can occur anywhere, including:
- At home
- At someone else’s home
- On commercial property
- Outdoors, on private or public walkways or other areas
Hazards may be anywhere and are dangerous no matter who has an accident.The Most Common Back InjuriesIf you sustain an injury after a fall, you’ll probably feel the pain first. It’s important to get medical attention immediately to determine exactly what type of injury you have.
- Sprained muscles/soft tissue injuries—most people try to “catch” themselves on the way down to prevent the fall. In some cases, they may move or twist the wrong way and cause muscle pain when the tissue is torn from its normal place.
- Vertebrae fracture—the bones in the back protect the spinal cord along with the disks in between to cushion the vertebrae that act as a buffer between the bones. Fractures to the vertebrae can not only be painful by itself, but endanger the spinal cord as well.
- Compression fracture—these are common to people over 50 or those with osteoporosis. When a person falls on their back, the vertebra can become compacted, causing numbness, tingling and spasms, and pain that increases during normal activity.
- Herniated (“Slipped”) disks—during a slip and fall, the disks in between the vertebrae may be knocked out of place, inflicting pressure on the nerves. Symptoms include pain and tingling radiating down the length of one or both legs.
- Injury to the tailbone (coccyx)—this small bit of bone and cartilage at the end of the spine can be bruised, dislocated or fractured, causing pain, tenderness and inflammation, as well as difficulty in everyday activities like sitting.
- Spinal cord injuries, including nerve damage—once the vertebral protection has been breached, the spinal cord itself can be damaged. Paralysis can result, depending on how much damage sustained by the spinal nerves.
In addition to back injuries, you may experience other types of injuries in a slip and fall, such as injuries to your extremities, concussion, bruises, and lacerations.
Treating Back Injuries
After any type of accident, you should seek immediate medical treatment to determine the extent of your injuries and locate the source of pain and injury. Avoid any type of exertion, such as exercise, sporting activities, lifting heavy objects, and other potentially exacerbating activity.Once diagnosed, the emergency or treating physician will offer suggestions for treatment. This can include surgery, physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, and other assistance to avert long-term damage.After beginning a course of treatment, make an appointment with a slip and fall law firm to discuss what kind of damages you may be able to recover so you can continue treatment.
Kansas City’s Slip And Fall Accident Law Firm
A slip and fall accident is always difficult, but you can recover for your injuries. An experienced slip-and-fall attorney can help you find the value for your claim and take appropriate action to initiate recovery. If you need help after a slip and fall accident, contact The Popham Law Firm. Call us at (816) 221-2288 today or use our contact form. We’ll schedule an appointment and talk with you about how we can help.
