A slip-and-fall is a unique kind of incident that occurs when someone loses traction while walking and ends up falling. Unlike falls from heights, a slip-and-fall typically occurs at a single, fixed level, although these incidents can sometimes involve stairs.
Whether you fell down the stairs or fell backward while pushing a grocery cart, one of the most serious injuries you can suffer as a result would be a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Given that you don’t notice the symptoms of a brain injury right away in many cases, reporting a slip-and-fall before you leave the store is important. That way, there’s evidence of the incident if you develop symptoms later.
How common are head injuries related to slip-and-falls?
Brain injuries can mean missed work and weeks of medical expenses. Still, not every slip and fall gets reported, and not everyone who suffers a head injury seeks medical attention and gets a diagnosis. Still, what information there is available about slip-and-fall accidents paints a pretty grim picture.
Given that brain injuries can affect everything from your independence to your profession, you may need to pursue a premises liability claim against the store or business where you slipped and got hurt.
On average, about a million people go to the emergency room every year for an injury they suffered in a slip-and-fall accident. The older that person is, the greater the risk of the injury being severe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that roughly 25,000 adults over 65 years of age die annually (based on 2013 statistics) after that fall, largely due to head injuries.
What can you do if a slip-and-fall accident left you with serious injuries?
Since brain injuries from a slip and fall can affect everything from your independence to your profession, you may need to look for compensation for your losses. An attorney can help you pursue a premises liability claim against the store or business where you slipped and got hurt.