Of all the accidents in the workplace, slip and fall injuries are among the most prevalent. They’re not confined to any type of career—you can suffer from one whether you’re in an office building, on a construction site or just about anywhere else.
If you’ve experienced a slip and fall injury while at work, I would hope that your employer and insurance company take responsibility and cover the ensuing costs, but truth be told, many accident victims aren’t that fortunate. As a work injury lawyer who serves a city as large as Atlanta, I see more slip and fall accident victims come through my door than anything else, and my priority is to help each and every one of those people receive justice and a little peace of mind.
Here are some common effects of slips and falls:
Broken Hips
Hip fractures are most common among older adults, so if you’re over the age of 55 and you slip and fall at work, you’ll be at a high risk for breaking your hip. And when it comes injuries, 95% of them are caused by falling down. Statistically speaking, women fall and break their hips more often than men, and on top of that, women are also at a greater risk for the bone-weakening disease, osteoporosis. The older you get, the higher your chance of breaking a hip when you slip and fall is—especially if you’re a female worker.
Torn Ligaments
Where the broken hip and other bones will usually result from the impact of your slip and fall, torn ligaments come about as the result of the awkward twisting motions that your body undergoes on the way down. Two of the most common types of torn ligaments are:
- Sprains – When your ligaments stretch until they tear
- Strains – When muscle-affecting sprains occur
The most common kinds of torn ligaments happen in the wrists and ankles, and they fall into three different categories of severity—known as grades. While grade 1 is considered mild, grade 3 is the most severe, and the pain will feel similar to a broken bone.
That covers the two largest categories as far as slips and falls go, but there are also other common injuries that can occur—especially neck, back and head injuries.
If you’ve been involved in a slip and fall accident at work, it is imperative that you seek the proper medical assistance immediately. After that, feel free to call me and I’ll be glad to discuss your legal options in detail. As Atlanta’s workman’s comp lawyer, I’m here to help YOU.
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