slip and fall in Greenville SC attorney

What Happens When You Slip and Fall in Greenville, South Carolina

A slip and fall of any kind can be scary.  There is no shortage of ways it can happen.  Falls can happen in obvious places like down a flight of stairs or on ice or in not so obvious places, like a curbside or simply walking from one place to another. No matter where a slip and fall occurs, it isn’t to be taken lightly.  You can suffer injuries that span from your head to your toes and those injuries can be minor or life-threatening.  Either way, you need to take the proper precautions if you experience a slip and fall in Greenville, South Carolina.

Common Injuries from Slip and Fall Accidents

Not much different from car accidents, there is no single specific injury that stems from a slip and fall.  Some of the most common include:

Torn Tendons, Ligaments or Cartilage

Because a slip and fall accident can happen so quickly, the victim doesn’t have time to make it a smooth transition from standing to the ground.  A slip can cause legs and arms to go in any direction, which can mean painful tears in tendons, ligaments and/or cartilage.

Broken Bones

This typically happens to legs, ankles, arms or wrists.  Lower limbs can be broken by an awkward twist during a fall or upon impact when the victim lands on the ground.  Upper body extremities are often broken because of the natural reflex to reach out either in front or behind to break a fall.    

Head and Neck Injuries

Whiplash occurs when the head is suddenly forced forward and then snaps back quickly.   Whiplash is common in car accident injuries; however, it isn’t uncommon for someone to sustain this injury from a slip and fall.   If an individual hits their head when they slip and fall, they can get a concussion or a traumatic brain injury. TBI injuries can be minor or life-threatening.  

Spinal Injuries

Because the spine serves as the center of the body, any injury to this area – even a small one – can cause extreme pain and discomfort.  Slipped disks and broken bones are common spinal injuries in slip and fall accidents.

Pelvic Injuries

It doesn’t take much to injure a pelvis in a slip and fall accident.  The impact of hitting the ground with force from a standing position can cause a pelvis to crack and can also result in damage to internal organs such as the kidneys, intestines or bladder.

All the above injuries can range from minor or serious.  Some may heal with proper rest and a simple pain-relieving medication; others may involve pain and suffering that requires extensive, long-term physical therapy sessions and possibly surgery to heal the injuries.  

What to do After a Slip and Fall in Greenville, SC

If you slip and fall in Greenville, no matter where you are, the first step is to assess your injuries.  If you have pain or discomfort of any kind, it is imperative that you see a doctor as soon as possible.  Even if your injuries are minor, don’t rule out a call to 9-1-1. A seemingly simple head bump that goes untreated can lead to life-threatening complications.

If you are in a place of business, you need to speak with a manager immediately to make sure your injuries are properly documented and on file.  Also, ask for a copy of the report for your records.

Be sure to take photos of the scene for your own records and if anyone witnessed your fall, ask for their name and contact information.   Credible witness accounts carry a lot of weight when it comes to determining liability and settlement dollar amounts, so be sure to reach out to anyone in the area who may have seen what happened.

The Next Steps After Your Slip and Fall Accident

If you suffered any injuries at the time of your slip and fall in Greenville, it is in your best interest to reach out to a lawyer with experience in slip and fall personal injury cases.  It is extremely likely that you will be blamed for the fall and any insurance companies or individuals involved may try to avoid compensating you for your injuries.

You did nothing to cause your own injuries and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity after your accident.  At the Fulton & Barr Law Firm, that is exactly what you’ll receive. We’ll stand with you through each step of your slip and fall case and work to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.  Reach out to an experienced slip and fall attorney at Fulton & Barr Law Firm for a free consultation today.