Slip-and-fall accidents are more common than you’d expect. They often result in injuries like sprains, fractures, or bruises. Some victims recover fully within weeks — but for many, the injuries can be quite serious and have a long-lasting impact on their mobility and quality of life.
Understanding the potential ongoing issues for more serious injuries like spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) is important — especially when they were caused by someone else’s negligence and need to take legal action to pursue compensation.
Common Injuries from Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Like we mentioned, some slip-and-fall accidents result in minor injuries but in our experience, we see countless victims with more than just temporary pain or inconvenience. Below are some of the long-term health issues that can arise from these accidents:
Chronic Pain
- Back and Neck Pain: Falls can cause spinal injuries or nerve damage that lead to persistent pain. This can make simple everyday tasks uncomfortable or even impossible.
- Joint Pain: Injuries to knees, hips, or shoulders may not heal properly, causing long-term joint pain that affects a victim’s mobility and ability to perform basic daily activities.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Cognitive Impairments: Even mild concussions can lead to memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and other cognitive challenges that last well beyond the initial accident.
- Emotional and Behavioral Changes: TBIs can also result in emotional instability, depression, anxiety, and mood swings, further complicating a victim’s ability to return to a normal life.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
- Partial Paralysis: Partial paralysis involves a loss of movement and sensation in certain areas of the body due to a spinal cord injury. It affects the body below the injury site but allows for some degree of function.
- Complete Paralysis: Complete paralysis results in the total loss of movement and sensation below the point of injury, often leading to paraplegia or quadriplegia. In most cases, this condition is permanent.
Degenerative Conditions
Fractures and other severe injuries may contribute to long-term degenerative conditions, such as arthritis or osteoporosis. A degenerative condition is one that worsens over time, and these conditions often require ongoing medical treatment. They also greatly affect a person’s ability to maintain an active lifestyle. Complications from degenerative conditions include:
- Balance Issues and Mobility Problems: Falls can sometimes lead to inner ear damage or other injuries that cause long-term balance problems, making it difficult for victims to walk or move without assistance.
- Emotional and Psychological Impact: After a traumatic fall, victims may develop a gripping fear of falling again. This fear can lead to heightened anxiety or avoidance of certain activities and be extremely limiting to the victim both physically and socially.
With injuries like these, you have the true worsening physical ailment combined with the fear. Individually, the physical and emotional suffering create overwhelming obstacles, but together they wreak havoc on a victim’s ability to stay active.
The Financial and Emotional Toll of Long-Term Health Issues
The long-term effects of a slip-and-fall accident extend beyond physical pain. Victims often face ongoing financial hardship as they may need medical treatments like physical therapy, surgeries, medications, and assistive devices. This not only places a financial strain on victims and their families but also impacts their emotional well-being.
For many victims, chronic pain or mobility issues may prevent them from returning to work. For some, they are forced to change careers or stop working permanently because of the severity and nature of their injuries.
As if the financial toll wasn’t enough, the persistent pain, mobility issues, and emotional distress can severely affect a person’s overall quality of life. Relationships with family and friends may suffer, and victims may no longer be able to participate in hobbies or activities they once enjoyed.
Legal Help for Long-Term Health Issues After a Fall
If you are suffering from long-term health complications after a slip-and-fall accident, you may be entitled to compensation beyond the obvious and immediate medical expenses. Understanding your legal rights is essential when pursuing compensation for both current and future damages.
Pursuing Compensation for Long-Term Injuries
Victims of slip-and-fall accidents can seek compensation for ongoing medical treatments, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. It’s important to ensure that any claim considers not only immediate expenses but also the long-term financial impact of the accident.
To successfully pursue a claim, you must gather thorough medical documentation that outlines the extent of your injuries and the long-term impact. Expert testimony from healthcare professionals can also help establish the severity and longevity of your injuries, strengthening your case for compensation.
Slip-and-fall claims can be complex, particularly when long-term injuries are involved. It’s important to consult with a slip-and-fall accident attorney who is experienced in handling these cases and understands how to advocate for your rights and the compensation you need for “right now” problems and for long-term health issues.
How Our Legal Team Can Help You
At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, we provide compassionate legal support to slip-and-fall victims who are dealing with both immediate and long-term health challenges. We fight for the compensation clients deserve for their injuries, including future medical expenses and non-economic damages such as the emotional, mental, and social impacts.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a slip-and-fall accident, contact Parrish DeVaughn for a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options. We are dedicated to helping you secure the compensation you need to manage all the long-term effects of your injury.
