Even if you are normally able-bodied and sure-footed, slipping or tripping on something you did not know to watch out for can lead to you suffering a serious and potentially even life-threatening injury. If you can prove your accident only happened because someone else failed to keep their property in reasonably safe condition, you could hold them civilly liable for all losses you will experience as a direct result of that injury. It is important to have a basic idea of what kinds of injuries can justify a lawsuit, since certain minor injuries requiring only basic first aid may not be serious enough to serve as grounds for legal action. Our slip and fall attorneys at The Law Offices of David W. Holub have experience with injuries in Merrillville slip and fall cases and could help you determine whether yours justifies a civil claim.
Bone Fractures
Broken bones can happen to anyone who falls from a high surface or onto a particularly hard one, but elderly people and people with medical conditions affecting bone density, such as osteoporosis, are at especially high risk. The angle of impact can also influence which injuries a person might suffer in a Merrillville slip and fall case. Depending on the way someone makes contact with a surface, they may experience a fracture in their kneecap or lower leg, pelvis, upper arm, or even their hands or wrists if they unconsciously reach out in an attempt to break their fall.
Traumatic Brain Damage
If someone’s head strikes something hard during an accidental slip and fall in Merrillville, a traumatic brain injury may be the focus of any personal injury case they pursue afterwards. Just as with bone fractures, the nature and severity of this type of injury can vary greatly depending on the circumstances of the accident, but even moderate brain damage can have debilitating repercussions, while the effects of a severe brain injury can be catastrophic.
Soft-Tissue Injuries
Sometimes, injuries in a Merrillville slip and fall case stem not just from a person hitting the ground after losing their footing but also from their body bending or twisting in unnatural ways during their fall. This can lead to muscle strains all over the body, torn tendons in the knees or elbows, sprained ligaments in the ankles or wrists, and other forms of trauma affecting the soft tissues of the body.
Spinal Cord and Nerve Damage
Unfortunately, Merrillville slip and fall cases sometimes involve injury to the spinal cord within the vertebrae of the spine, which may lead to a lifelong loss of sensory and motor function. Alternatively, some types of injuries, including especially severe shoulder dislocations, can cause localized nerve damage in a single limb or other isolated area of the body.
Contact a Merrillville Attorney About Injuries in Slip and Fall Cases
Of course, this is not a comprehensive list of every possible form of physical trauma someone involved in a slip and fall accident could sustain. What you should now understand is that injuries in Merrillville slip and fall cases can vary substantially depending on the circumstances leading to the accident, which means that your best strategy for pursuing compensation in this situation may be different than someone else’s.
This, among many other reasons, is why you should seek help from a seasoned slip and fall attorney after getting hurt in a fall on another person’s property. Call The Law Offices of David W. Holub today for a consultation.