Almost every house in New York has stairs. Many people often fall from the stairs and sustain minor injuries. However, in other cases, the damage is too severe and can have long-term effects on a person’s life. From minor cuts and bruises to severe brain and spinal cord injuries, stairways can inflict all kinds of physical trauma.
If you have sustained a stairway injury due to someone else’s fault, a Richmond Hill personal injury attorney can help you get compensation for your damages.
Common injuries from falling down stairs.
- Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury is a severe head injury caused by a harsh or sudden impact on the brain. A bump or blow to your head can result in a TBI. It can also occur when something sharp penetrates through your skull, damaging your brain and nerves.
The symptoms of a TBI can range from mild to severe pain. However, even mild injuries like concussions can have long-term effects on your health. If the injury is more severe, it can potentially cause seizures, coma, or even fatalities.
- Sprains and strains.
About 30% of the fall injuries result in sprains and strains. When you fall down the stairs, your shoulder is more likely to bear all the impact. This can lead to shoulder dislocation, tear, and muscle strains. Strain is caused by overstretched or torn ligaments in knees and ankles from tumbling down the stairs.
While strains refer to torn muscle fibers or tendons in your lower body, in some cases, the victim may require crutches, leg braces, or even surgery. These injuries are very severe and may prevent a victim from doing daily activities, including driving
- Spine and nerve damage.
Sudden falls from the stairs can cause spine and nerve damage. Since the spine and nerves are more fragile parts of your body, the injury can be very severe and may take months or years to recover. An overstretched body during the fall or direct blow to your spine can result in nerve damage and spinal cord injuries like herniation and disc bulging.
Most nerve damage cases are permanent. If you have sustained nerve damage or spine injury, you may not be able to carry out your daily activities before your injury. You may even face difficulty while moving or walking.
- Bone fractures.
One of the most common injuries sustained from falling down the stairs is broken bones. Depending on how you fall, different bones in your body are at risk of breaking. When the bones are subject to pressure more than they can withstand, it causes them to break.
Fractured hip bone is commonly seen in older adults. People who use their arms to save their bodies from the impact might end up getting their arms fractured.
If you have been injured in a stairway accident, you do not have to bear the burden alone. Hire an attorney for your assistance today!
