Walking through the streets of New York City means dealing with uneven subway grates and crowded sidewalks every day. You might be heading to a deli in Queens or crossing a slick street in the Bronx when you suddenly slip.
Winter weather makes the steps of many Manhattan brownstones particularly dangerous for residents and visitors alike. In slip and fall cases, victims often sustain injuries ranging from sprains and fractures to head trauma, and medical bills can quickly pile up. A skilled New York slip and fall attorney can help you understand your legal options, gather evidence, and pursue compensation for both physical injuries and financial losses.
Types of Injuries Victims Sustain in Slip and Fall Cases
Slip and fall accidents result in various physical trauma ranging from minor bruises to life-altering conditions. Exploring these specific injuries provides a clearer picture of why these accidents are so serious.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Hitting your head on a granite floor is never just a simple bump (even if it looks fine initially). The brain is fragile and the force of a fall can cause it to shift inside your skull.
According to the CDC, falls result in more than 800,000 hospitalizations every year across the country. Many of these stays are due to head injuries that require long-term care and observation since symptoms like blurry vision or memory loss can linger for months.
Broken Bones and Fractures
The sudden impact often forces you to brace yourself, putting extreme pressure on wrists and forearms. This reflex usually leads to painful snaps that require casts or surgical pins to heal correctly.
Hips are particularly vulnerable for older adults who lose their balance on uneven stairs. A broken hip requires surgery alongside months of grueling rehabilitation to regain the ability to walk.
Back Trauma
A hard landing on the tailbone can compress the spine. This damage results in nerve pain that shoots down the legs. Worst-case scenarios might even lead to partial or full paralysis if the spinal cord is severed or severely bruised.
Joint Damage
Note that not every injury involves a broken bone. However, torn ligaments as well as strained muscles require extensive physical therapy. You might notice these issues.
- Severe swelling in the knees or elbows
- Reduced range of motion in the shoulders
- Persistent stiffness
These injuries take a long time to heal since tendons receive less blood flow than muscles. You might feel fine at first but wake up the next morning unable to move your arm.
Internal Bleeding Risks
You cannot always see the damage done by a heavy fall. Internal organs can suffer blunt force trauma that causes hidden bleeding inside the body (which is terrifying to think about).
Pain in the abdomen or chest after a fall should never be ignored. Medical attention is the only way to catch these life-threatening issues before they get worse.
Final Words
Healing from a fall takes time and patience as your body recovers from the unexpected jolt. Focusing on your health and understanding the extent of your physical damage helps you move forward.
Key Takeaways
- Falls are a primary cause of traumatic brain injuries.
- Wrists and hips are the common bones broken during a fall.
- Impacts to the back can cause herniated discs.
- Ligament tears require long-term physical therapy.
- Hidden bleeding is a serious risk that need medical checks.
