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What Injuries Can You Get From Falling?
You can suffer various injuries from falling, such as traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, including broken ankles, arms, and lower legs, and hip fractures, as well as spinal cord injuries. The Huffington Post reported that falling accidents resulted in approximately 654,000 of the 2 million emergency department visits between 2016 to 2017.
Perhaps more surprising, though, is the average hospital stay as a result of these injuries. The Huffington Post also reported that people admitted for falling stayed in the hospital for 14.3 days as compared to the average stay of 7.5 days for other medical services.
While aging is a primary reason for these injuries, a falling accident may happen at any age. According to Geoff Fernie, a senior researcher at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, children often sustain injuries, especially head injuries, as a result of falling down stairs.
‘We see middle-aged people running up and down stairs and having indoor stair accidents quite commonly. And we see a lot of workers having falls—and not just construction-type workers. People in the winter, people working in coffee shops and falling over in the car park when they get there in the morning,’ he stated.
Types of Injuries You May Get From Falling
There is a wide variety of injuries that you may sustain in a fall. While this list is not all-inclusive, some of the types of injuries include:
Hip Fractures
According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), hip fractures are an injury that requires hospitalization. This type of injury resulted in nearly 32,000 hospitalizations in Canada from 2016 to 2017. A broken hip typically involves a fracture in the upper part of your thigh bone, although it may occur in different places.
The type of treatment required for a broken hip may vary depending on the patient’s age and physical condition. Some possible treatments, however, include medication, surgery, and physical therapy. Though the treatment for a broken hip is usually successful, there are a number of serious complications that may accompany a broken hip, including pneumonia, bedsores, and urinary tract infections. These complications may be especially dangerous among older adults.
Broken Ankle
Fractures of the lower leg, such as broken ankles, are another type of injury that occurs as a result of a fall, according to the CIHI. This type of injury is extremely painful and makes it difficult to place weight on the foot and walk. Though less frequent, in more serious cases, the bone may break through the skin, causing bleeding and increasing the possibility of infection.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) and Other Head Injuries
Head injuries are the third type of injury that is sustained in a falling accident, and was responsible for 13,997 hospital stays between 2016 and 2017.
This type of injury, caused by a blow to the head, may disrupt normal brain function. While a mild TBI affects the brain only temporarily, a serious TBI may cause torn tissue, bleeding, and other brain damage. Serious TBIs may result in cognitive problems like confusion and slurred speech, as well as physical complications like numbness in the toes and fingers, seizures, or repeated vomiting.
Broken Arms
Broken arms may happen during a fall if the victim tries to break their fall by stretching out their hand. It may also occur as a result of falling on the elbow. These injuries usually heal with treatment, which sometimes includes surgery and rest. However, there are occasionally complications that may include infection, uneven bone growth, arthritis, and nerve damage.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Although less frequent, a spinal cord injury may also occur if you fall from a significant height. Because the spinal cord is responsible for taking messages from the brain to other parts of the body, damage to the spinal cord may result in a lack of mobility. While many people live long lives after a spinal cord injury, the majority must use wheelchairs, walkers, and other assistive devices.
Knee Injuries
Knee problems may occur from a falling injury. Sudden, acute injuries may be caused by abnormal twisting or falling directly on the knee. This type of injury may cause sprains, ligament tears, and even break the kneecap. Treatments may vary depending on age and health conditions, as well as the type of injury. In some cases, knee injuries require surgery.
If you have sustained one of the injuries listed above or another type of injury as a result of another person’s negligence, you may qualify to receive compensation for your losses. Call Preszler Injury Lawyers today at 1-800-JUSTICE for a free initial review of your case.
