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Greenville Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
Whether it be a newly washed floor, an icy sidewalk, or a cracked step, a slip and fall can take you completely by surprise. At Parham, Smith & Archenhold, LLC, we know that a slip and fall injury can be costly in the form of lost wages, medical bills, and mental trauma. If you have been in a slip and fall, our Greenville slip and fall lawyers want to hear from you.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Common injuries from a slip and fall may include:
Lacerations and Contusions
In the best-case scenario, an individual who sustains a slip and fall may suffer contusions and lacerations, more commonly referred to as cuts and bruises. Although minor, you should still seek medical care to make sure that your injuries are not more severe.
Fractures
Falls are a leading cause of broken bones or fractures. Common fractures from a slip and fall can include wrist, forearm, shoulder, ankle, and hip fractures. Symptoms may include swelling, bruising, intense pain, and bone protrusion. Many fractures require medical care.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that carries messages from the brain to the rest of the body. Falls are a leading cause of acute spinal cord injury, which can cause bruising or tearing of the nerve fibers.
Common symptoms of a spinal cord injury may include loss of movement, trouble with balance and walking, loss of bladder control, extreme pressure in the back, and trouble breathing. If you experience any of these symptoms, someone should call 911 immediately.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
If you fall and hit your head, you could suffer a traumatic brain injury. Commonly known as a TBI, it is a disturbance in brain function that is caused by any strike, blow, or bump to the head. Symptoms range from nausea, dizziness, and headaches to prolonged loss of consciousness and seizures. If the TBI is severe, an individual may die if left untreated.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Not all injuries are physical, and falling may cause a person to become afraid of falling. This may be a sign of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that causes a person to have difficulty recovering from an event. Symptoms may include nightmares, flashbacks, heightened reactions, anxiety, and depression.
Damages
Falls account for about $50 million in healthcare costs for older adults. If you have been injured in a slip and fall, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.
Compensatory damages come in two forms: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are those losses that directly take money out of your pocketbook. Examples include:
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Ambulatory services
- Treatments and procedures
- Physical therapy
Non-economic damages, in contrast, are those losses that have impacted your life but have no price tag attached to them. Examples include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Infliction of emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of companionship
Contact a Greenville, SC Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Today
The constant financial demands of day-to-day life cause most of us to be unprepared when a medical emergency arises. If you have suffered injuries due to another’s negligence, our Greenville slip and fall lawyers are available to assist you. Contact the office online or by calling 864-712-7566 to schedule your free consultation today.