Slips, Falls and Long-Term Health Consequences
Whether you slipped or tripped while on someone else’s property or your personal injury was the result of carelessness on your part, the fact of the matter is that slip and falls often result in long-term health consequences. Slips and falls are all too common in the workplace.
According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, in Canada, an average number of up to sixty thousand employees are injured as a result of slip and fall incidents every year.Falls are among the most frequent causes of workplace injuries and are considered to be the largest overall cause of accidents. Slipping or falling often results in missed work due to injuries.
Outside of the workplace, falls make up 87 percent of all fractures among people 65 and older. Falls are the second-leading cause of injury-related death among people 65-84 years old. For people over the age of 85, slips and falls are also the primary reason for injuries and in some cases death.
Shiny or slippery floors, food spills and messes, unexpected changes in floor surfaces, inappropriate drainage, and wearing inappropriate footwear can all lead to slipping. Personal injury from tripping is often due to cluttered work spaces, poorly maintained floors, unseen objects, obstructed views, or poorly lit stairwells. Falling, on the other hand, is often the result of using ladders or chairs, uneven floor surfaces, dimly lit stairwells, and poor access to storage racking.
Whatever the cause of the slip or fall, recovery is often long, painful, and ongoing. Fractures occur in approximately five percent of all slips and falls and are the most serious type of fall-related injury, especially among the elderly. Hip fractures are the most serious form of fractures and are responsible for the greatest number of health problems and deaths.
In addition to hip and pelvis injuries, slips and falls often result in other debilitating health consequences, including:
- Head injuries
- Back, neck, and spine injuries
- Torn tendons and ligaments
Traumatic brain injuries are often lifelong consequences of slips or falls and can happen if a victim falls and hits their head against the ground. Extensive rehabilitation is often needed and brain damage may contribute to ongoing memory, cognitive, behavioral, and mobility problems.
Back, neck, and spine injuries are painful and difficult to treat. Some victims are unable to return to work due to their chronic pain. A broken back, slipped disk, or other injury may also require surgery.
When an injury involves torn tendons and ligaments, it’s often painful and long-term. Physical therapy, surgery, or lifelong pain are all serious potential consequences. Some victims endure lifelong physical pain and others never return to normal.
Unfortunately, slips, trips, and falls are one of the most common forms of personal injury in Ontario. The good news is that Mackesy Smye Lawyers can help.
The attorneys at Mackesy Smye are well-trained to handle slip and fall cases and can help you to discuss your rights and legal options, depending on your specific situation. Please contact our legal team today with any questions.