Many think, “Oh, it was just a slip. How bad could it be?” While a typical slip and fall injury might result in a bruise, more serious conditions affect the back and neck. Height further plays a factor, and when an individual drops a distance, the resulting injury turns into a permanent disability – or may even result in death.

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Beyond the typical cuts, scrapes, and bruises, broken bones, sprains, and head trauma all have potential to result. What could occur?

Traumatic Brain Injury

The injury turns into a far more severe condition once the victim’s head hits the ground. Traumatic brain juries (TBIs) are divided into two types: visible, with bruises or scrapes to the head, and internal, in which the brain hits the skull. The former is easier to detect, while the latter may show up months from the incident.

TBIs come with severe, potentially permanent consequences, such as brain damage. The victim often requires rehabilitation services and may have life-long memory, physical, and cognitive impairments.

Neck, Back, and Spine Injuries

When an individual falls backward, he or she may experience an injury to the neck, back, or spine. What could result ranges from a slipped disc to a broken bone. Conditions frequently require surgery, and even then, the ordeal isn’t over. This group is notoriously difficult to treat, and the victim, as a result, may be in chronic pain for the rest of his or her life or be permanently disabled.

Broken Hip or Pelvis

Many slip and fall injuries involve the elderly, who are more prone to experiencing hip injuries. As a result, what might seem like a minor fall could later require hip replacement surgery and months of recovery.

Torn Tendons and Ligaments

Even when a bone doesn’t break, the tendons and ligaments in the feet, knees, and wrists bear the brunt of the fall. Tears to these areas are extremely painful and require months to fully heal. In the process, the victim requires physical therapy, and even then, he or she might not regain complete use of that limb.

Along with a lengthy recovery comes expensive medical bills from doctors’ visits, therapy, and medications, as well as missed work. If you find yourself in this position, get the legal help you need from Trantolo & Trantolo’s Connecticut slip and fall lawyer. Contact one of our Connecticut attorneys for a free consultation today.