What kinds of long-term injuries come from falls?

On Behalf of Mallilo & Grossman Attorneys at Law | Sep 6, 2022 | Uncategorized |

Autumn is on the way. With its arrival, you can also expect rainy weather and sidewalks that will get slick with water and fallen leaves. That means that more people are likely to trip, slip and fall than ever.

While older people are particularly vulnerable to serious injuries from falls, the reality is that anybody can experience a serious injury if they hit the pavement hard enough – and many of those injuries can lead to long-term consequences.

Roughly one out of every five falls causes a serious injury, like:

Hip fractures and permanent mobility issues

Does it surprise you to learn that 95% of hip fractures are caused by sideways falls? All it takes is one moment of lost footing on a curb to end up with an injury that can land you in a nursing home and then in a wheelchair. While some victims fully recover from hip fractures, many others are left with chronic mobility problems. They may never progress in their recovery past a walker or a cane.

Traumatic brain injuries and ongoing cognitive problems

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can run the gamut from minor headaches and blurred vision that both resolve after a few days, to skull fractures and brain damage that leads to chronic daily migraines, personality changes and cognitive dysfunction that leaves someone unable to work, socialize or even function independently.

A reduced quality of life and an overall decline in health

The lack of mobility and independence can create more problems for the victims of a fall than most people realize. Someone who has mobility issues may be prone to additional falls, and a lack of independence can cause depression and anxiety. That can lower a victim’s immune system and make them more prone to infections and other problems.

There’s no such thing as a “little” fall when you’ve got broken bones or a fractured skull. Find out more about your legal right to fair compensation for your losses here in New York.