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Common Injuries and Long-Term Effects in Slip-and-Fall Accidents
A slip and fall may seem like a minor incident at first—but the aftermath can affect your health, finances, and daily life for years. Slip-and-fall claims often involve disputes over fault, medical evidence, and long-term impact. If you've suffered an injury from a slip-and-fall incident, you need an attorney who can step in to protect your rights and push back against attempts to minimize your claim.
At Denning Law Firm, LLC, we represent individuals who have been injured by unsafe property conditions and help them pursue fair compensation. Our attorneys bring a determined, hands-on approach to every case they take on.
Located in Overland Park, Kansas, we serve clients throughout the Kansas City metro area. Contact us today for experienced legal support and to explore the common types of injuries in slip-and-fall accidents and the long-term effects that can follow.
Why Slip-and-Fall Accidents Should Not Be Taken Lightly
Slip-and-fall accidents are often caused by hazards such as wet floors, uneven sidewalks, poor lighting, or loose handrails. While some falls result in minor bruises, others lead to serious injuries that require ongoing treatment.
A significant challenge of these accidents is that symptoms may not appear right away. Pain, stiffness, or neurological issues can develop hours or days after the accident, making it harder to connect the injury to the accident without proper documentation.
Common Injuries in Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Slip-and-fall accidents can often result in considerable injury. If you have been involved in a slip-and-fall incident, it's important to seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you don't think your injuries are severe. Some injuries may not show symptoms right away, which can lead to health issues if left untreated. The most common injuries resulting from slip-and-fall accidents include the following:
Head Injuries and Traumatic Brain Injuries
When a fall causes the head to hit a hard surface, the result can range from a mild concussion to a traumatic brain injury. The common symptoms of head and traumatic brain injuries include headaches, confusion, memory problems, and sensitivity to light or noise. These injuries can interfere with your daily functioning and may require long-term care.
Broken Bones
Fractures are among the most common injuries in slip-and-fall cases. During a fall, it's common to try to break your fall with your hands, which can lead to broken wrists, arms, ankles, legs, and hips. Hip fractures, especially among older adults, can lead to extended recovery and long-term mobility issues.
Back and Spinal Injuries
The force of a fall can cause significant impact to the spine, which can result in herniated discs, nerve compression, and spinal cord damage. These injuries can result in chronic pain, reduced mobility, and in severe cases, permanent disability.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries involve damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons and can result in severe sprains, strains, or muscle tears. Although soft tissue injuries may not appear serious at first, they can lead to lingering pain and limited range of motion.
Cuts, Bruises, and Lacerations
Slip-and-fall accidents can cause visible injuries such as cuts and bruises. In some cases, deep lacerations may require stitches and can leave permanent scars.
Long-Term Effects of Slip-and-Fall Injuries
The impact of a slip-and-fall accident often extends far beyond the initial recovery period. Depending on the severity of the accident, the road to recovery may be long and filled with significant effects that can impact your ability to go about your daily life, including:
Chronic pain: Ongoing pain is one of the most common long-term effects. Back injuries, joint damage, and nerve issues can lead to daily discomfort that affects work and personal life.
Reduced mobility: Injuries to the hips, legs, or spine can make it difficult to move freely. This can limit your ability to perform routine tasks or return to your normal activities.
Emotional and psychological effects: Physical injuries can take a toll on your mental health. Anxiety, depression, and fear of falling again are common, especially after a serious accident.
Financial burden: Medical bills, therapy costs, and lost income can strain your finances. Some individuals may not be able to return to their previous jobs, which can lead to additional, and sometimes long-term, financial challenges.
Loss of independence: For some individuals, particularly older adults, a slip-and-fall injury can lead to a need for ongoing assistance with daily activities.
Missouri Slip-and-Fall Accident Laws
In Missouri, slip-and-fall cases fall under premises liability law. Property owners have a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors. To pursue a premises liability claim, you must file a claim within five years from the date of the injury and generally be able to prove the following criteria:
A dangerous condition existed
The property owner knew or should have known about it
The condition was not addressed within a reasonable time
The hazard caused the injury
Missouri follows a pure comparative fault rule. This means that your available compensation may be reduced if you share responsibility for the accident. However, you can still recover compensation even if you are partially at fault.
Kansas Slip-and-Fall Accident Laws
Slip-and-fall cases also fall under premises liability law in Kansas. Property owners are expected to address potential hazards that could harm visitors. To file a claim, you must file within two years of the date of the injury and prove the following criteria:
The property owner failed to fix or warn about a hazard
The hazard caused the injury
Damages resulted from the accident
Unlike Missouri, Kansas follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means that if you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering damages. If you are less than 50% responsible, your compensation may be reduced accordingly.
Contact a Slip-and-Fall Accident Attorney for Missouri and Kansas Today
Suffering an injury due to a slip-and-fall accident can be challenging, but you don't have to handle your case alone. At Denning Law Firm, LLC, our father-daughter team is committed to fighting for slip-and-fall injury victims and pursuing the compensation you need.
Located in Overland Park, Kansas, we represent clients throughout the Kansas City metro area. If you need strong, determined representation that puts your rights first, contact us today to schedule a no-cost case review and explore your next steps.