Slip and fall accidents happen all the time, but many people don’t report them. They assume it was their own fault or think they’re fine because they don’t feel pain right away. But injuries don’t always show up immediately. Some take hours or even days to appear, and by then, they can be worse.
If you’ve got hurt in a slip and fall accident, don’t assume it was just bad luck. Many falls happen because of unsafe conditions, such as wet floors, uneven sidewalks, or poor lighting. If no one reports it, the hazard stays, and someone else could get hurt the same way. Reporting helps prevent more accidents.
Not every fall causes serious injuries. Some leave you with just a bruise, but others can be long-term problems. It depends on how you fell, what you landed on, and how hard you hit the ground. Even minor injuries, like a twisted ankle, can turn into bigger issues if not treated.
Here are some common injuries and fall accidents, their symptoms, and treatments.
Broken bones
Breaking a bone in a slip and fall accident happens more often than people realize. When you fall, your body reacts automatically. You might try to catch yourself with your hands, which can lead to wrist or arm fractures. If you land hard on your hip, ankle, or shoulder, those bones can break too. The way you fall and what you land on both play a big role in how serious the injury is.
Some broken bones are obvious right away; you’ll feel intense pain, swelling, or even notice the bone looking out of place. But smaller fractures might not seem serious at first. You might just feel soreness or mild swelling, only for the pain to get worse later.
Treatment depends on how bad the break is. A minor fracture may only need a cast or splint to keep the bone in place, while a more severe break could require surgery.
Spinal cord injury
A slip and fall accident can damage the spinal cord if the impact is strong enough. Since the spinal cord controls movement and sensation, any injury to it can cause serious problems like pain, numbness, weakness, or even paralysis.
Some symptoms appear immediately, like sharp pain or loss of movement, while others develop hours or days later, such as tingling, difficulty walking, or muscle weakness. The severity depends on how badly the nerves inside the spine are damaged. In extreme cases, the injury can permanently cut off communication between the brain and parts of the body.
Head injury
A slip-and-fall accident can cause serious head injuries, even if there’s no visible wound. When the head hits a hard surface, the brain can move inside the skull, leading to a concussion or more severe brain trauma.
Some symptoms appear immediately, like dizziness, nausea, confusion, or loss of consciousness, while others, such as headaches, memory problems, or difficulty concentrating, may show up hours or days later.
Even a mild head injury can lead to long-term problems if left untreated. Severe cases may involve internal bleeding or swelling in the brain, which can be life-threatening. Medical attention is necessary for any head injury, especially if there are signs of confusion, vision issues, or difficulty speaking. Ignoring a head injury can result in permanent damage, so getting checked by a doctor is always the safest option.
Bruises and cuts
A slip and fall accident often causes bruises and cuts, which may seem minor but can still be painful. Bruises occur when small blood vessels under the skin break, leading to discoloration, swelling, and soreness. While most heal on their own, deep bruises can indicate more serious tissue damage.
Cuts happen when the skin is scraped or torn upon impact. Small cuts usually heal without issue, but deeper ones may require stitches. If a cut won’t stop bleeding, becomes swollen, or shows signs of infection, medical attention is needed. Even minor injuries should be monitored to prevent complications.
