Falls are among the most common causes of accidental injury in South Carolina and across the United States, according to the National Safety Council. Nearly nine million people are seriously hurt in falls each year. Injuries from slip-and-fall accidents are more likely and often more harmful for older people.
People of all ages face the risk of a disabling injury in falls caused by the negligence of others. Many victims need extensive – and expensive – hospital treatment and rehabilitation to recover from the injuries they suffered in a slip-and-fall accident. Some may face a lifetime of disability. In extreme cases, injuries from falls claim the lives of victims.
People who were hurt in a fall caused by someone else’s negligence should not bear the cost of their injuries. South Carolina law allows victims of slip-and-fall accidents to hold property owners and other responsible parties liable for their negligence.
The attorneys at Joye Law Firm help people from all over South Carolina recover financial compensation for slip-and-fall injuries that were caused by someone else’s fault. Call Joye Law Firm or fill out our online contact form now for a free claim review.
Injuries Caused by Falls
The most common injuries in slip-and-fall accidents are fractures or broken bones. Thousands of children as well as older men and women break bones in falls each year, including fractures of the ribs, legs, ankles, arms, wrists and hands, as well as facial fractures and others.
More than 95 percent of hip fractures occur in falls, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A broken hip usually requires surgery and hospitalization, then transfer to a nursing home or other long-term care facility for rehab. Sadly, one in five hip fracture patients die within a year of the injury, the CDC says.
In addition to fractures and sprains, and cuts and bruises (lacerations and contusions), the most falls commonly injure the:
- Head. Falls are a common cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI), the CDC says. A TBI may be a concussion that clears up with rest, or a severe injury that causes ongoing cognitive impairment, mood changes, seizures and other symptoms. Head injuries suffered in falls may also cause intracranial bleeding, which can be fatal if not detected and treated quickly.
- Shoulder. Fall victims who reach out to catch themselves may suffer dislocated shoulders or brachial plexus injuries. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves connecting the shoulder to the arm and hand. These nerves can be stretched or torn from a blow to the shoulder.
- Back and spinal cord. Falls can damage vertebrae or disks between vertebrae, leading to chronic pain and loss of mobility. A severe spinal cord injury can cause paralysis.
- Internal organs. Falls can cause organ damage, including damage to the liver, kidneys and spleen. Internal injuries often require surgery to repair.
Compensation for Your Slip and Fall Injury
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a slip-and-fall accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may have a legal claim for compensation, including insurance money you may deserve for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering and other losses.
Legal investigators experienced with South Carolina premises liability claims can determine what happened in your slip-and-fall accident and determine who should be held liable for your losses.
The lawyers at Joye Law Firm get results for clients who have suffered slip-and-fall injuries all across South Carolina. For example, we secured a $480,000 settlement for a woman who fractured both heels as the result of a fall from a boat at a boat dealership, a $350,000 settlement for woman who underwent back surgery after slip-and-fall accident, and a $330,000 settlement for a man injured in fall due to improperly marked wet floors.
To learn more about recoveries Joye Law Firm has secured for our clients, see the Our Results page. Although past results do not imply that a similar outcome can be achieved in another case, they do show the extent of a firm’s experience with cases involving falls that caused serious injuries.
Find out how we can help you.
Contact Our SC Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawyers
If you’ve been seriously injured in a slip-and-fall accident caused by a hazard on someone else’s property in South Carolina, Joye Law Firm is prepared to work to get you the money and benefits you are entitled to.
Call Joye Law Firm now or fill out this online contact form to set up a free and confidential evaluation of your claim.
Sources:
- The Mayo Clinic – As people age, no fall is minor
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
