As a child, you may remember taking many tumbles. In fact, when you first began walking, you took those uncertain steps only to land hard on your seat. Your family may have laughed and cheered when you got up with a seemingly miraculous resilience and tried again.
No one laughed or cheered when your recent fall resulted in a serious injury. The National Safety Council reports that about 31,000 people die each year from falls following a slip or trip, and many more suffer injuries. Obtaining medical treatment after a fall is critical, and some injuries may require ongoing care.
Falls and injuries
When you go out to a public place in Georgia, or even to a friend’s house, you have a certain expectation of safety. While you understand that it is impossible for someone to foresee every contingency, it is reasonable to expect that a property owner will take precautions to prevent accidents. Nevertheless, when a property owner is lax in removing or enclosing hazards, your health and safety are at risk.
Some of the common situations that create fall hazards include the following:
- Clutter or debris in halls or aisles
- Wet surfaces
- Low-hanging objects
- Uneven or unstable floors or stairs
- Loose handrails
- Broken sidewalks
- Torn carpeting
- Dimly lit halls or stairways
While some slip and falls result in bruises or cuts, yours may be among the many that ended in more serious injuries requiring medical attention, including:
- Sprain or tear in your muscles, ligaments or tendons
- Head injury
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal cord injury
- Broken bones
Hip fractures are among the most tragic injuries fall victims may suffer. If you are over a certain age, a hip fracture may leave you vulnerable to serious complications, including blood clots and pneumonia, which can be life-threatening.
The kind of care you will need after a fall injury depends on the type of injuries you suffer. You may need to go to the emergency room for a traumatic injury. Your medical team will determine the best course of action for your recovery, which may include these and others:
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic care
- Rehabilitative services
- Prescription medications
- In-home medical care
The cost of this kind of medical treatment can set back the most solid budget. However, if your injuries were caused by the negligence of a property owner who failed to provide a safe environment for you and other visitors, you may have cause to pursue compensation through the civil courts.