Georgia residents can hurt themselves in any number of ways on other people’s property. They could trip over cords and debris, slip on icy sidewalks or fall down stairs after handling a loose railing. Some of the most common injuries in slip, trip and fall accidents are ankle injuries. There are various types, so it’s important to distinguish among them.
It’s important for accident victims to know how the ankle is structured. The ankle joint is composed of three bones: the tibia, fibula and talus. The lower part of the tibia forms the inner anklebone, and the fibula forms the outer. The talus is the bone located at the foot. The bones are connected by tendons and ligaments and protected by a membrane called the synovium, which contains a fluid that allows for smooth movements of the bony surfaces.
The most common injuries are sprains, strains, fractures and tears. The tendons and ligaments can be strained or sprained when stretched unnaturally in a slipping accident. These injuries result in serious pain, can limit victims’ mobility for months and may call for extensive recovery time.
Fractures can occur to any of the three bones but especially the talus. These injuries can leave victims with permanent limitations. As for tears, these affect the ligaments, tendons and synovium, severely weakening them and calling for extensive recovery as well.
A slip, trip or fall can be considered a preventable accident if it’s clear that the property owner should have done something about the debris, the icy sidewalk or another hazard. Proving a breach of the owner’s duty of care, in addition to measuring the exact extent of the injuries, might be easier with a personal injury lawyer, so victims may want to seek legal counsel before the statute of limitations runs out.