Slip-and-fall accidents happen all the time, and when they are least expected. But while some slip-and-fall accidents end with mere dirt on clothing and a few bruises, others may be more serious. One of the most serious injuries victims sustain is spinal cord injuries.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a slip and fall is one of the major causes of spinal cord injuries. And while some spinal cord injuries are minor, others may have life-altering impacts. If you have sustained a spinal cord injury following a slip-and-fall accident that is not your fault, you may prefer a premises liability lawsuit against the property owner.
So how do spinal cord injuries following slip-and-fall accidents happen?
Spinal cord injury happens when the vertebrae, ligaments or the discs surrounding the spinal cord are damaged when an individual slips and falls on a hard surface.
Here are two main types of spinal cord injuries that you can sustain:
Complete spinal cord injury
This is the most devastating form of spinal cord injury that you can sustain following a slip-and-fall accident. These injuries usually inhibit the brain’s ability to relay sensory and motor signals below the injured spot. This often results in paralysis below the area of injury. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may lose the ability to move around without assistance.
Incomplete spinal cord injuries
These injuries happen following a mild trauma to the spinal cord. This compromises the brain’s ability to relay motor and sensory signals below the injured spot. Depending on the severity of the injury, the slip-and-fall victim will lose sensation and movement of the limbs, a condition known as triplegia.
A spinal cord injury can turn your life upside down. Find out how you can pursue a premises liability lawsuit if you are hurt in a slip-and-fall accident that is attributable to another party’s negligence.