Businesses and landlords who own apartment buildings have to keep their facilities safe for the public. They do so by maintaining key systems and ensuring reasonable cleanliness. In some cases, the failure to properly maintain a property can result in people getting hurt.
Slip-and-fall incidents frequently relate to negligent facility maintenance. Failing to clean up after spills or keep the floors in good condition may result in a visitor slipping or tripping and getting hurt. Those involved in slip-and-fall incidents sometimes pursue premises liability claims against the business or landlord who maintains the property. Particularly if they sustain injuries that require medical care and force them to take time off from work, they may need to pursue financial compensation.
What types of injuries caused by slip-and-fall incidents typically keep people from working?
1. Soft tissue injuries
People may overexert themselves physically while attempting to prevent a fall. They swing their arms or kick their legs, leading to overexertion of their muscles or connective tissue.
They may then have painful soft tissue injuries that take weeks to heal. Especially if the professional has a career in a blue-collar industry or has painful symptoms that prevent them from focusing on their job, they may require a leave of absence while they recover.
2. Broken bones
When people fall, trying to catch themselves on the way to the floor can do more than strain their muscles. In some cases, people may break bones because they fall. Adults over the age of 55 are particularly vulnerable to fractures in a slip-and-fall scenario.
Even simple fractures that remain relatively stable generally take eight weeks or longer to heal. More serious fractures may require an even longer leave of absence until a worker’s body fully recuperates.
3. Traumatic brain injuries
If people do not have an opportunity to respond when they fall, they might hit their heads. Blunt-force trauma to the head can cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Bleeding or inflammation inside the skull can produce a variety of different debilitating symptoms. People with moderate to severe TBIs may experience cognitive challenges. They may notice changes in their motor function or sense of balance. Even their personalities might change because of a TBI.
Any injury that requires medical care and a leave of absence may make a premises liability lawsuit necessary after a slip-and-fall. Holding a business accountable can help people replace their lost wages and cover their medical expenses after falling due to unsafe property conditions.