What Happens to Your Body When You Slip and Fall?

A slip and fall accident can impact your body in many ways. The damage from a slip and fall can vary by person, health status, the nature of the fall, and more. Let’s look at what might be happening in your body during and after a slip and fall.

What Happens During a Slip and Fall

Slip and falls often happen out of nowhere. As you start to fall, your body might flood with adrenaline, the “fight or flight” hormone. According to Havard Health, this stress response can lead to:

• Faster breathing
• A pounding heart
• Tense muscles
• Sweating

This stress response makes you more alert to what’s happening. If your body reacts quickly enough, you might tense and reach out to try and catch your fall. The attempt to catch yourself might lead to additional hand, arm, or shoulder injuries.

Common Injuries from a Slip and Fall

A slip and fall may affect everyone differently. Slip and fall injuries can range from minor to incredibly severe. Here are some examples of injuries we often see in slip and fall accidents.

Sprained Wrists or Ankles

Sprains are common during a slip and fall. As you reach out to stop the fall, your wrists or ankles might twist or strain. These sprains can make it difficult to type, walk, or do essential daily tasks.

Hip Fractures

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 95% of broken hips happen because of a fall. These fractures are most common when someone falls sideways, and they affect women more than men.

Hip fractures can make daily life near-impossible. Older people are most at risk for broken hips during a fall, but anyone can suffer from them.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Your spinal cord runs from the base of your skull to near your tailbone. A fall might injure or damage the spinal column, leading to nerve compression or other issues.

Spinal cord injuries can lead to paralysis or other permanent injuries.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is widespread with slip and fall accidents. Symptoms of TBI can include:

• Headaches or migraines
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Blurry vision
• Confusion

TBIs can become severe without prompt treatment. If you hit your head during a slip and fall, see a doctor immediately for an exam.

Cuts and Bruising

You might slip and fall on a sharp object or something else that causes cuts or bruising. Severe cuts can lead to scarring or other disfigurements. Bruises can cause significant pain and make movement difficult.

How Your Body Responds After a Slip and Fall

As your body responds, your brain is trying to deal with the fall, too. In response to trauma, you might not feel the full effects of your injuries during the fall. Some people don’t fully notice their pain until hours or days later.

After a slip and fall, it’s best to see a doctor immediately. Even if you feel okay, you could have underlying injuries that worsen with time. Visiting a doctor will ensure that:

• You understand the full extent of your injuries
• You get the treatment you need before your injuries get worse

There might also be emotional effects of a slip and fall. It’s common for people to suffer from anxiety, depression, or mood swings after an accident. Talk to your doctor about these effects, as well.

If you fell on someone else’s property, you might feel like the fall isn’t your fault—and you could be right.

Seeking Compensation After a Slip and Fall

All property owners and businesses must keep their premises safe, according to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-3-1. If that doesn’t happen, a property can become unsafe and lead to slip and fall accidents.

If you fell on someone else’s property, you might have a personal injury claim or lawsuit. You can seek compensation for your costs from the property owner or occupier.

We have experience helping clients like you after:

• Joann Fabrics slip and fall injuries
• Macy’s slip and fall injuries
• Old Navy slip and fall injuries
• Dunkin slip and fall injuries
• Cheesecake Factory slip and fall injuries

The above list contains only examples of the slip and fall cases we can handle. Learn more by reaching out to us.

After the fall, you can start building your case by:

• Taking pictures of the scene and your injuries
• Getting contact information for any eyewitnesses
• Reporting the slip and fall to the property owner or manager
• Getting medical treatment immediately
• Talking to a personal injury lawyer in your area

Also, keep track of all bills, receipts, and other documentation of your costs. The more you can save from the accident, the better it will be for your case.

Slip and fall cases can change quickly. The property owner or business might try to clean up the scene so that there is no evidence. Their insurance company may also contact you and try to reduce what they pay you.

You can protect your rights by speaking with an experienced personal injury lawyer.

Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer About Compensation for a Slip and Fall

If a property owner’s negligence led to your fall, you might be able to recover compensation for:

• Doctor and hospital bills
• Prescription medications
• Medical equipment
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation costs
• Property damage
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Disabilities

At John Foy & Associates, we can determine your total damages and fight for your right to a fair recovery. While you focus on healing from the slip and fall, we’ll handle the legal details.

With over 25 years of experience, we know what it takes to win cases. We are not afraid to “strong-arm” the insurance companies and fight for your rights. To learn more during a free consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.