You know, when you think about really bad stuff happening, you might think of big storms or car crashes, right? But what about just slipping on some ice or a wet floor at the store?
Well, those slips and falls cases in Canada are a big deal. They’re actually one of the main reasons people end up getting hurt, just like car accidents.
Can you believe it? About a third of all trips to the emergency room in Canada are because of people taking a spill. It can happen anywhere, like at the store or even just outside your house. Even if it seems like a little slip, it can lead to serious injuries that cost a ton to fix, make you miss work, and take a long time to get better.
Types of Injuries from Slip and Fall Accidents
Let’s discuss four common types of injuries from those slip and fall accidents.
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Sprains and Strains
Sprains and strains are among the most common injuries sustained in slip and fall accidents. They occur when ligaments, tendons, or muscles are stretched or torn due to sudden movement or awkward landings.
Typical examples include:
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- Ankle sprains from twisting while falling
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Wrist or hand sprains from trying to break the fall
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Knee strains from sudden twisting or impact
While these injuries may seem minor, they can cause significant pain, swelling, and reduced mobility—often requiring physiotherapy and time off work.
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Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
A sudden fall can cause serious back injuries, ranging from muscle strain to spinal cord damage. Depending on the severity, these injuries may lead to chronic pain, nerve damage, or partial paralysis.
Some common back-related outcomes include:
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Herniated or slipped discs
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Spinal compression fractures
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Sciatica or chronic lower back pain
These injuries can significantly impact your ability to work or perform daily activities, often resulting in long-term consequences.
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Fractures and Broken Bones
Falls are a leading cause of bone fractures, especially among older adults. Common fracture sites include:
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Wrists and arms (from bracing during a fall)
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Hips (especially dangerous for elderly individuals)
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Ankles and legs (from uneven surfaces or high-impact falls)
Fractures can lead to long recovery times, surgeries, and even permanent impairment. A personal injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation for medical expenses and rehabilitation costs.
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Head and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI):
As slip and fall accidents often lead to traumatic brain injuries, the resulting health risks and long-term effects may be quite sizable for the involved persons. Trauma to the brain can be very different in severity, from minor to serious concussions encountered in a slip and fall incident. Even what appears to be a mild blow to the head, regardless of its strength, can lead to severe brain injuries as it impairs motor capabilities, emotional stability, and cognitive abilities. Concussion effects can present as headaches, nausea, dizziness, and disorientation, as well as serious consequences like fainting or loss of consciousness. They may not manifest immediately, but a negative impact on language and cognitive skills can be seen in the long term. Slip and fall victims and their families endure detrimental life-changing years of pain from the effects of brain damage sustained in these encounters. People may need assisted living, expensive medical expenditure, and rehabilitation, too, based on the severity of the damages. The pain at the personal level of the victims and their families may be multiplied by the pressures that accumulate because of unpaid hospital bills and missed work.
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Soft Tissue Injuries:
A slip and fall accident can lead to soft tissue injuries that are diverse in character and degree. These injuries include relatively minor sprains and strains or more serious ones, which include tears and rips. These injuries can cause severe damage, leading to persistent pain, swelling, stiffness, and range of motion problems. In soft tissue injuries, the victim may sometimes be left with long-term disability and chronic pain, thus negatively impacting the quality of their life and capability to carry out daily tasks.
Developing a recovery plan for soft-tissue injuries following a fall incident typically involves medical intervention, i.e., rest, physical therapy, medication, and, in the worst case – surgery. These recovery programs aim to give patients the ability to walk properly and return to their regular lives again, as the main objectives of the regimen are to reduce pain, restore movement, and facilitate the healing process.
- Hip Injuries in Older Adults
For seniors, a slip and fall can be especially dangerous. Hip fractures and related injuries often require hospitalization and surgery, with recovery times that can last months. In some cases, mobility is permanently reduced, affecting quality of life.
Because of the serious implications, these injuries often result in significant medical and rehabilitation expenses that should be accounted for in any legal claim.
- Neck and Shoulder Injuries
During a fall, it’s common to tense up or twist suddenly—leading to neck and shoulder injuries. Whiplash, dislocated shoulders, or torn rotator cuffs can all result from the abrupt impact of a fall.
These injuries often require physiotherapy or even surgery, and recovery can take weeks or months.
Benefits of Consulting a Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries, unexpected medical bills, and long-term consequences. Whether the accident happened on public or private property, proving negligence can be challenging. Consulting a slip and fall accident lawyer ensures you get the compensation you deserve while navigating the legal complexities. Here’s why hiring one is beneficial:
1. Determines Liability & Proves Negligence
Property owners have a legal responsibility to maintain safe premises. A lawyer investigates the cause of your accident—whether it was due to poor lighting, wet floors, uneven surfaces, or lack of warning signs. They gather evidence, such as surveillance footage, witness statements, and safety reports, to prove negligence.
2. Maximizes Compensation for Your Injuries
Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious injuries, from fractures and head trauma to spinal damage. A lawyer ensures that all medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future rehabilitation costs are accounted for in your claim, maximizing your compensation.
3. Handles Insurance Companies & Legal Complexities
Insurance companies often try to downplay slip and fall injuries or deny liability altogether. A lawyer negotiates with them on your behalf, preventing lowball settlements and ensuring your rights are protected. They also handle all legal filings, deadlines, and paperwork, so you don’t have to.
4. Protects You from Blame
Property owners and insurers may argue that you were at fault for the fall—for example, claiming you were distracted, wearing improper footwear, or ignoring warning signs. A lawyer builds a strong defense to counter these arguments and ensure you’re not unfairly blamed.
5. Works on a Contingency Fee Basis
Most slip and fall lawyers operate on a “no win, no fee” basis, meaning you only pay if they successfully recover compensation for you. This makes legal representation accessible without financial risk.
6. Helps You Understand Your Rights
Many people aren’t aware of their legal rights after a slip and fall accident. A lawyer explains your options, whether it’s filing an insurance claim, negotiating a settlement, or pursuing a lawsuit if the property owner was negligent.
7. Assesses Long-Term Impact & Future Costs
Some injuries don’t fully manifest until weeks or months after the accident. A lawyer works with medical experts to evaluate the long-term impact of your injuries, ensuring your settlement includes future medical costs and potential loss of earnings.
8. Strengthens Your Case with Expert Testimony
To prove liability, your lawyer may collaborate with accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and safety experts who can provide critical testimony. This strengthens your case and increases your chances of receiving fair compensation.
9. Expedites the Legal Process
Slip and fall claims can take months or even years to resolve, especially when insurance companies delay payouts. A lawyer pushes for a quicker resolution by efficiently handling negotiations, documentation, and legal procedures to help you receive compensation sooner.
10. Represents You in Court If Needed
If a fair settlement isn’t reached, a slip and fall lawyer is prepared to take your case to trial. They present compelling arguments, cross-examine witnesses, and advocate for the maximum compensation you deserve.
When Should You Consult a Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer?
The first thing you ought to do if you are hurt in a fall is to get medical help and then get it treated on time. Eliminating further damages to your health by consulting a doctor promptly comes with an extra benefit: the potential for your doctor to accurately record the particulars and degree of your injury. Such a fact could be a touchstone of your lawsuit.
This brings us to our second recommendation for what to do in the event of a slip and fall: connect with a personal injury lawyer. Subsequently, the personal injury lawyer Mississauga will conduct thorough research on the accident scene and determine the guilty party. You are permitted to pursue legal action against the individual who is at fault and demand payment for all damages, which is financial compensation for any losses you have already suffered and any suffering that might result from the accident and the resulting injuries. Your strongest shield to get a fair settlement for injuries is an experienced slip and fall accident lawyer.
At MacIsaac Gow LLP, we understand how detrimental a slip and fall could be to your life and career. Our commitment is to get you fair compensation for your injuries, and we are here to help. Reach out right now for more information about what we can offer you.
Key to Your Legal Success