Slip and fall accidents

Slip and fall accidents can occur nearly anywhere, from the workplace and the home, to public places like restaurants and stores. Injuries from a slip and fall accident may require medical attention and treatment.

Causes of Slip & Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents are preventable. Workplaces and other public areas with the following hazards increase the risk of slip and fall accidents:

Floor obstructions, such as running cords across the floor and torn carpet
Wet or slippery floors without wet floor signs
Raised or cracked sidewalks
Inadequate lighting

Bandage being applied to sprained ankle after slip and fall accident

Injured worker holding her ankle after slip and fall accident

Changes in elevation
Retaining wall drop-offs
Poor weather conditions, such as rain, snow, ice, and sleet

Injuries From Slip & Fall Accidents

A slip and fall accident may lead to minor injuries, or it may require prolonged medical treatment. A few injuries that may be caused by slip and fall accidents:

Sprains
Broken bones

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Pulled muscles
Dislocated joints
Bruises
Scrapes and cuts
Infection
Nerve damage
Back injuries
Traumatic brain injury
Knee injuries
Neck injuries
Total or partial paralysis

Symptoms From Slip & Fall Accidents

Wet floor sign placed by stairs to help prevent slip and fall accidents

Depending on the extent of injuries, a slip and fall accident could lead to the following symptoms:

Difficulty balancing
Dizziness
Nausea
Intense or sudden headaches
Pain in the hips, back, or limbs
Swelling
Unconsciousness
Pressure in the neck or head
Muscle tension
Bleeding
Loss of range of motion

It’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible to avoid complications. Some injuries can only be discovered through a medical evaluation.

Treatment Options

The right treatment for injuries caused by slip and fall accidents will depend on the severity of symptoms and the patient’s unique condition. At Las Vegas Primary Care, patients may be treated with joint and soft tissue injections, pain management therapy, and occupational medicine.

Patients experiencing pain from soft tissue injuries may benefit from joint and soft tissue injections. The staff at Las Vegas Primary Care offers epidural injections, sacroiliac joint injections, piriformis injections, and trigger point injections.

Pain management therapy could also be effective for slip and fall injuries. Treatment may include hot and cold therapy, massage, yoga, tai chi, meditation, acupuncture, progressive muscle relaxation, cognitive behavior therapy, deep breathing, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, opioids, antidepressants, and beta-blockers.

Some slip and fall accidents can cause long-term injury and illness that interferes with daily life and impairs an individual’s ability to perform job duties. In these cases, occupational medicine could help the patient adjust to the demands of the workplace while they recover from injuries.

Staff at Las Vegas Primary Care are also trained to help employers adapt the workplace to the limitations of injured employees involved in slip and fall accidents. Occupational medicine can help both employers and injured employees agree on a plan that will meet their needs.

Advanced Treatment

Some patients may need advanced treatment to address injuries sustained from a slip and fall accident. Advanced treatment for broken bones, for example, may include surgery. Patients are encouraged to speak to their physician at Las Vegas Primary Care to learn more about advanced treatment options.