Slip and fall accidents are common at home, in the office or in other places such as parks and skiing joints. Since it can happen to you or someone close, it is important to know the kind of damages to expect. Knowing how much you may be hurt during such an accident is pertinent in helping you to do first aid on yourself or someone else. It may also motivate you to seek medical care promptly to prevent the situation from escalating and becoming worse.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is one of the most critical parts of the body. When you fall, there is a chance that you may compress the spinal cord. Back pain is the first sign of a spinal injury. Here is what to do if you slip and fall in a store and you suspect that you have injured your spine.
The immediate action to take is to visit a doctor. If you cannot walk, call for an ambulance and request to be taken to the hospital immediately. Avoid treating yourself because spinal injuries may turn out to be deadly if you prescribe the wrong treatment or ignore ones that should be urgent.
Sprained Ankles and Wrists
Sometimes, you may fall in a mysterious way that may leave you with sprained ankles and wrists. Most people get wrist sprains when trying to spread out their arms to mitigate the fall. The ankles, on the other hand, experience sprains when you take a wrong step.
Immediately after a sprain, you may be unable to:
- Cook
- Type
- Wash or
- Clean
It is possible to do first aid on your ankles and wrists if you know what to do. However, if you are not sure, call a doctor immediately. It may save you a lot even if the sprained ankles may remain in that state for a few days.
Damages to the Knees
The knees are also prone to injury when you experience a fall or slip. Knee injuries heal fast among children but as you grow, the healing process may be slow. This happens because usually, the knees are a combination of numerous bones and ligaments.
You should visit the doctor immediately if you get a knee injury. A minor injury may require simple medical care while a major one may be complicated to the extent of requiring knee restructuring. As you seek medical help, ensure that every injury that you have experienced is documented so that you may not face major difficulties when seeking compensation.
Bruises and Cuts
Although not common, cuts and injuries may also arise from a slip or fall. You may fall and hit an object that bruises or cuts you on the hands, legs, or other parts. Minor cuts are easy to deal with by yourself. However, the major ones need attention.
Never ignore cuts and bruises no matter how simple they seem. The scars may be left on your body for a lifetime and this may affect your self-esteem. Therefore, you should document them and contact an attorney to find out if you should sue the store.
