The Most Common Injuries Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents

After a slip-and-fall injury, the damage can last months or even a lifetime, and they’re more common than you may think. Slips and falls send more than one million people to the emergency room every year in the United States. While some falls only cause bruises, others leave victims with broken bones, fractures, head trauma, and long-term mobility issues. 

Knowing what injuries are most common – especially the potential for head trauma – highlights the importance of getting quick treatment and legal help. For example, the average compensation for a slip-and-fall case often exceeds the amount insurance companies offer on their own. Serious injuries create larger medical bills that only a lawsuit settlement can cover.

To see how serious slip-and-fall injuries can be, let’s look at the most common injuries.

1. Fractures and broken bones

Fractures are the most common injury, followed by broken bones. Although anyone can experience these injuries, older adults are more at risk because bone density tends to decrease with age. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that over 95% of hip fractures are caused by falls. For seniors, hip fractures usually require surgery and a lot of rehab.

Other common fractures involve the wrists, arms, and ankles. People naturally use their hands to break a fall, and that can cause broken wrists or forearms. When slipping on uneven ground or stairs, people often end up with twisted, broken ankles.

2. Head injuries

Concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), skull fractures, and open wounds are all common head injuries caused by slips and falls. Concussions can be life-threatening, and even a mild brain injury can cause headaches, dizziness, and memory problems for weeks or months. 

If the impact was severe, like against concrete or tile, it can crack the skull and require surgery or staples. The most dangerous type of head injury is a TBI. Some people recover easily, but for others, it can lead to death after several months. There’s also a chance that a victim might have a subdural hematoma for weeks without knowing anything is wrong until unexplained dizziness forces them to go back to the ER. A subdural hematoma won’t show up on the initial scan because it takes time for the fluid to build up in the skull.

3. Sprains, strains, and soft tissue injuries

Not every fall will result in a fracture or broken bone, but torn ligaments and muscle injuries are equally painful and disruptive. Torn ankle ligaments can cause swelling and long recovery times. When people fall on the stairs or uneven ground, they often strain their ACL or MCL, which forces them to sit on the sidelines of life for months. 

It’s also possible for muscle strains and tears to happen on their own or with other injuries, since awkward landings can stretch muscles too far. These injuries won’t show up on an X-ray but can cause severe pain. 

4. Back and spinal cord injuries

A person’s back will absorb a significant portion of the impact in a fall. This can result in minor aches or permanent disability. Sudden impacts can compress the spinal discs and cause long-term nerve pain and mobility issues. In more serious falls, especially at heights, a victim can experience fractured vertebrae. And although it’s less common, serious spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis.

5. Cuts, bruises, and surface wounds

Although these injuries aren’t as serious as fractures or TBIs, surface injuries are painful and can be serious. Lacerations can occur from falling onto sharp edges or glass, requiring stitches. Hard landings can cause hematomas, and any open wound – no matter how minor – is susceptible to infection. 

6. Shoulder and arm injuries

When people use their arms to break a fall, it can lead to shoulder dislocation and rotator cuff tears. In forward-facing falls, broken collarbones are also common and can take weeks to heal. 

7. Psychological injuries

The impact of a fall can do more than just physical damage – it can create a cascade of emotional and psychological trauma. Many elderly fall victims develop a fear of falling again that limits their independence, and some start to feel uncomfortable walking outdoors or exercising. For people who lose their independence after an injury, depression is common. 

Falls can be dangerous and deadly

Slip-and-fall accidents can cause serious injuries that have lifelong consequences for some. From broken bones to head trauma, the impact is greater than most realize. Staying alert reduces your risk, but getting treatment and protecting your rights is critical.