Common Slip-and-Fall Injuries in Charleston, SC
Slip-and-fall accidents can result in serious or catastrophic injuries. These injuries can have long-term consequences, affecting your emotional and financial future. Even basic tasks, such as grooming, can be challenging and require around-the-clock care. If you are the primary breadwinner, these injuries can have a devastating impact on your personal and professional goals, potentially delaying retirement.
At Mark C. Tanenbaum, our slip-and-fall attorneys take a personal interest in each case. If you have fallen due to an owner’s or landlord’s failure to remedy a hazard on a property, we are here to help you recover the damages you deserve.
Fractures
Each year in the U.S., approximately one in five people experience broken bones following a slip and fall. Broken bones, or fractures, require immobilizing the area with a cast, splint, or surgical hardware. This may leave a person unable to work for up to 6 weeks. Given today’s economic climate, being without one person’s income for even a few weeks can prove financially disastrous.
Herniated or Slipped Discs
The impact of a fall can be so intense that it can cause the rubbery cushion of a spinal cord disc to leak or tear. Known as a herniated disc (commonly called a “slipped disc”), this leakage can press on spinal nerves, causing extreme pain. Although a herniated disc can occur anywhere in the spine, it most commonly presents in the lumbar spine (lower back). Symptoms of a herniated disc include weakness in the neck, back, or legs, intense pain, and a “pins and needles” feeling.
Brain Injuries
A brain injury occurs when a person experiences a bump or blow to the head. This impact can disrupt normal brain function, resulting in neurological deficits. Known as a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, the condition can cause vomiting, dizziness, profound confusion, irritability, difficulty communicating, seizures, and potential death. While some TBI victims may experience a complete recovery, many are left with long-term effects. While mild TBIs are not catastrophic, severe TBIs can be potentially life-threatening.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Our spinal cord is a tubelike structure composed of a bundle of nerves. The structure runs from the base of the skull to the tailbone. These nerves transmit signals from the brain to the rest of the body. However, a spinal cord injury can disrupt these signals, causing loss of sensation and even preventing voluntary movement. )Spinal cord injuries are classified as either complete or incomplete, with complete injuries resulting in loss of movement below the site of injury.
For example, a person who experiences a cervical (neck) injury may be unable to move their arms and legs (known as quadriplegia). In addition to paralysis, a spinal cord injury can cause tingling, numbness, loss of bladder and bowel control, and sudden pressure in the head, back, or neck. A spinal cord injury is typically considered catastrophic since it often has life-altering consequences.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Sprains, strains, and ligament tears can occur after a slip-and-fall, often requiring physical therapy and potentially surgery. Symptoms may include swelling, tenderness, and a limited range of motion. In some cases, heat and rest can alleviate symptoms, although individuals may be out of work for several weeks for severe injuries.
Potential Damages
If you have experienced a slip and fall, you may recover damages for direct financial losses and emotional losses, known as economic and non-economic damages, respectively. These may pertain to any of the following:
Economic Damages
- Ambulatory services
- Hospital bills
- Surgeries and procedures
- Doctor’s visits
- Physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
Non-economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship and society
- Infliction of emotional distress
- Damage to reputation
- Disfigurement
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Knowing which damages to seek and what amounts you may be entitled to is a question that an experienced Charleston slip and fall attorney best handles. Our legal team is happy to assess your case to determine damages and the best approach to secure the compensation you are rightfully owed.
Speak with a Charleston Slip-and-Fall Attorney Today
A slip and fall can result in long-term and permanent disability that can impact an individual’s wellness, happiness, and financial future. You deserve fair compensation for this suffering, especially when it is due to another’s negligence.
For over 40 years, Mark. C. Tanenbaum has aggressively advocated for victims’ rights in Charleston, SC, following a personal injury, and is prepared to do the same for you. To schedule a free consultation with a slip-and-fall lawyer, contact us online or call (843) 577-5100 today.