When a person falls over after tripping on an object, they cannot move their other leg fast enough to stop the fall.
Some examples of fall and trip scenarios include:
- Trip over the elevation between the street and the sidewalk
- Paving stones unevenly placed on the sidewalk
- The door jambs which connect the door to the floor
- Items such as boxes, brooms, and ropes are left on the ground.
Trip and fall accidents are usually caused by people who do not adjust their gait to accommodate an item on the ground. This is often because they don’t see the object or they misjudge what steps to take to avoid the object. In most cases, the victim of a trip-and-fall accident falls forward instead of falling backward, as in a slip-and-fall accident.
When a person is walking forward, it’s important that they can put one foot in front of the other. They cannot move forward if an object on the floor prevents them from doing so. They can topple over because their torso moves forward while their feet remain stuck.
Trip and Fall Accidents Can Cause a Different Set of Injuries, including:
- Fractures of the limb. When someone falls forward they will instinctively extend their arms to break the fall. Those who are involved in trip-and-fall accidents often suffer limb fractures. This is especially true for the elderly.
- Neck injuries. After a trip-and-fall accident, it is not uncommon for victims to inform a trip-and-fall attorney of a neck injury. When a person falls they use their hands to break the impact. However, the head continues to fall towards the ground and the neck is forced to take the brunt.
- Foot injuries. Trips and falls can lead to foot or ankle injuries. This is especially true if the person’s foot gets caught in the fall. The entire person’s weight is suddenly centered around the ankle in a biomechanically hazardous way.
- Abrasions and cuts. Trip and fall injuries can cause cuts and abrasions. However, the skin damage is typically worse in slip-and-fall incidents. The majority of force is transmitted to the hips and sides of the body in slip-and-fall accidents. Usually, any damage is internal. A trip and fall increases the likelihood of skin grazing and injuries, particularly on the elbows, knees, and palms. It’s good to know that cuts and abrasions are usually relatively easy to treat. After sterilizing the injury, medical professionals can either stitch the wound or allow it to heal on its own.
- Broken finger bones. Hands are often the most affected by trip and fall accidents. After a fall, it is not uncommon for victims to suffer broken finger bones. Medical professionals repair small hand bone fractures by placing the finger in a plaster cast and using the fingers around it as a support. Many people, including manual workers and typists, are unable to work due to broken fingers.
- Thumb sprains. After a trip-and-fall accident, thumb injuries are very common. The force of impact can cause the thumb to be pushed backward behind the hand as the person falls. This damages the delicate tendons, ligaments, and tendons that hold the thumb in place.
This post was written by Kelly-Ann Jenkins of Jenkins Law P.L. Kelly-Ann is an insurance claim Lawyer. The information on this site is not intended to and does not offer legal advice, legal recommendations, or legal representation on any matter. Hiring an attorney is an important decision, which should not be based on advertising. You need to consult an attorney for legal advice regarding your situation.
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