Slip and fall injuries are the leading cause of emergency room visits in the United States, making them one of the most common types of personal injury accidents.  What constitutes a “slip and fall,” and how are these cases handled by personal injury attorneys seeking compensation for their clients?

Two Types of Slip and Fall

Technically, there are two different types of slip and fall injuries.

• A true slip and fall accident involves the victim sliding or slipping and falling.  In other words, a true slip and fall means the victim will slide or skid over a surface and then land on the same or another surface, such as a floor, sidewalk, or parking lot.  Many slip and fall injuries are due to slick surfaces from rainfall, oil, or other substances which have been left on the ground.  Most slip and fall accidents cause the victim to fall backward, which means that he or she could suffer back or neck injuries.
• A trip and fall accident occurs when a victim stumbles over some object or falls due to differences in height between surfaces.  This type of accident often causes the victim to fall forward, resulting in injuries to the wrists and knees.  However, a very serious trip and fall, such as those which involve a victim falling from a great height or rolling downstairs, can result in serious head, back, and neck trauma as well.

Injuries from Slip and Fall Accidents

Because slip and fall accidents are the most common types, they can result in relatively minor injuries, such as a sprained wrist or a bruised knee.  Because of this, people tend to dismiss these types of accidents as not “worth the time” to recover damages, or may even believe that those who suffer a slip and fall are not “really injured.”  Nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, slip and fall injuries can result in serious long-term disability.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that $50 billion is spent annually due to non-fatal slip and fall accidents in persons over 65, while $754 million is spent on fatal falls.  These figures do not include slip and fall accidents for younger victims.

Furthermore, 20 percent of all falls result in serious injury, according to the CDC.  This means that one out of every five falls is serious enough to warrant long-term medical attention.  The most common types of injuries from serious slips and falls are head injuries and hip fractures, especially among older populations.

Clearly, slip and fall is a common problem that can have serious consequences.  If you have been the victim of a slip and fall accident, it is important that you seek professional legal advice.  The personal injury attorneys at Barber & Associates can help you determine the compensation to which you are entitled for your slip and fall injury.  Call us today to discuss your case and learn more about how we can help.