You see it all of the time in cartoons and slapstick comedies, a character is walking down the street and all of the sudden, their feet fly up from under them and they end up flat on their back. While this device is aimed to provoke laughter from the audience, in reality, falldown incidents can result in surprisingly severe injuries. If you have ever been the victim of a falldown or if you’ve seen this happen to someone else, you probably understand how this injury can be so dangerous and unpredictable.
Common Falldown Injuries
The National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) reports that falldown incidents are the number one occupation related injury. They also account for over one million emergency room visits. Some of the common injuries that occur because of a falldown incident include:
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TBI (traumatic brain injury) - This is one of the most common, and most dangerous injuries in a falldown incident. When you fall backward and hit your head on a hard surface, there is a strong possibility you will experience a concussion and other serious TBI.
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Spinal injuries - These are another common and incredibly serious type of injury in relation to falldown incidents. A spinal injury can result in partial or total paralysis and could take months to heal.
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Broken bones - Oftentimes, the instant before you make contact with the ground, you’ll attempt to break your fall by stretching out your arm. Receiving the full weight of your body on a wrist, arm, or elbow will often result in a broken bone. If the break is severe, it might require surgery.
What to Do if You Were injured
If you’ve been injured in a fall, you know how long, painful and potentially expensive the recovery process can be. Your first step should be to seek medical attention to assess the extent of your injuries. Talk to your doctor to see what they suggest for a recovery plan. Make sure you collect documentation and medical records that show the details of your injury. You want to file an official report on the site where you fell. If you have the ability to take pictures at the scene, take pictures of the area and/or defect that caused you to fall. If you were on the job, bring the incident to your management team’s attention and file a written report describing the circumstances of your fall, typically called a First Report of Injury. If you were in a retail shop or small business, you should talk with the owner or the employee in charge of the store at the time of your accident and file a written incident report. You should then seek legal advice from an attorney to help you understand your rights and to potentially help file the appropriate claim(s) to get you compensation for your medical bills, injuries and pain and suffering.
Call a Connecticut Falldown Lawyer Today
At the law firm of Leighton, Katz & Drapeau our experienced attorneys understand how devastating an injury from a falldown can be to you or your loved one’s life. We have been serving clients in the Connecticut area for over 30 years and have worked on countless falldown cases. If you’ve been injured at work or due to someone else’s negligence, call Leighton, Katz & Drapeau and speak to one of our experienced attorneys who will help explain your rights and get you compensation for your medical bills, injuries and pain and suffering from the negligent party. Call us today at 860-875-7000. You can also contact us online. We are here and available to talk about the details of your specific case so don’t delay.
