“Slip and Fall” is a term used in personal injury law for accidents where the victim suffers injuries due to a fall on another person’s property. Over 600,000 non-fatal accidents due to falls were reported between 2021 and 2022.
If you or someone you know has suffered an injury due to a fall, you may want to find a slip and fall injury lawyer in your area. These professionals can help you file a personal injury claim to compensate you for the financial and emotional costs of the accident.
Mental problems caused by slip and fall accidents
The most common injuries resulting from slip and fall accidents are physical. These include:
Cuts and bruises
Fractures
Facial injuries
Concussions
However, slip and fall accidents also result in psychological trauma, like PTSD, depression, and anxiety, which are less talked about.
Psychological consequences of falls
Hurting yourself in a fall can be scary, not to mention embarrassing if it happens around strangers. This can lead to a fear of losing your balance and falling again, potentially triggering conditions like PTSD. While not everyone who has a fall develops such disorders, individuals over 65 are particularly vulnerable to these conditions.
Falling in a public place can lead to a fear of crowds and social situations. This, in turn, causes victims to become socially withdrawn and isolated.
Elderly people are more susceptible to falls than the rest of the population. They may stop stepping out of their homes or, in some cases, even get out of bed.
Depression is a medical condition characterized by persistently low moods and a loss of interest in activities that were previously enjoyable. Victims may become lethargic and lose interest in life.
Victims may also develop anxiety, which is defined as "intense and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations." In this case, an intense fear of falling. They can also become paranoid or irritable in situations where they think they might fall.
Medical intervention
If victims are not given adequate medical attention, their mental condition may worsen, leading to extreme mood swings or an inability to deal with social situations. It is, therefore, essential to seek professional support immediately. Support could be provided in the form of counseling or medication to help overcome unmanageable symptoms.
Gaining the support of competent mental health professionals ensures that victims understand their situation and have the option of choosing a treatment plan that works best for them. This could include talk therapy or building a toolkit to deal with anxious episodes, like grounding techniques, among other things. The duration and type of treatment will depend on the patient’s condition and can be altered to fit their needs.
Legal options
A whole category of laws addresses injuries occurring on private or public property. Under premises liability law, owners can be held liable if someone falls on their property due to negligence.
For example, if a café owner fails to clear up debris on the floor, which leads to a patron falling and breaking their bones, they can be sued for damages.
Similarly, if a private property owner puts up a banner that falls on a passing bicyclist, they can be held liable under the premises liability law. Victims of such accidents can sue property owners to claim compensation for any injuries caused.
This law also allows victims to sue negligent property owners for any emotional distress caused by the accident. Hiring a lawyer can help victims understand if they are eligible for any compensation and also help them file relevant documents on time.
Conclusion
Slip and fall accidents are relatively common, and the more severe ones can lead to hefty medical bills. These accidents are also known to cause mental health issues like anxiety in victims.
Timely medical intervention is crucial to managing symptoms before they get out of hand. Consulting a personal injury lawyer can also aid in obtaining compensation for the medical and emotional costs of the accident.
This post is provided by a third party who may receive compensation from the products or services they mention.
