Did You Suffer Nerve Damage in a Slip and Fall Accident?
The nerves are responsible for sending electrical signals that allow the brain to communicate with the rest of the body. Essentially, the nerves allow us to move, feel, talk, and think, so any damage to those nerves can cause problems in these areas, resulting in pain, numbness, and mobility issues. Unfortunately, nerve damage is often a result of traumatic accidents, including slip and fall accidents.
How Nerve Damage Happens in a Slip and Fall Accident
When a person slips, falls, and strikes the floor with a significant impact, he or she could suffer serious nerve damage as a result of:
- The stretching and tearing (caused by the sudden movement) of the nerves, especially in the neck, shoulder, and arms;
- Direct damage caused by falls on a hard surface;
- Compression in the vertebrae or due to contusion caused by the fall; or
- The nerves coming into contact with fractured bones.
Nerves run throughout our bodies, so damage to any area could result in nerve damage. However, in a slip and fall situation, accident victims often instinctively put out their hands and arms to stop their fall, meaning that these parts of the body are especially prone to injury, as is the spinal cord. Injuries to the latter are especially dangerous, as they can cause mobility problems and even paralysis. Some of the nerves in the lower back, when damaged, can even affect leg mobility.
Recovering From Nerve Injuries
Those who are involved in slip and fall accidents should be sure to seek medical attention right away. This is especially the case in situations where a person suspects that he or she has suffered nerve damage, as those who wait too long to obtain medical care, risk having permanent damage to the connection between the nerves and the muscles. Injured parties who obtain a diagnosis immediately, however, can begin treatment, which could include pain medications and injections, physical therapy to help improve range of motion, and even surgery to repair the damaged nerve.
Unfortunately, even those who get treated for nerve damage soon after their slip and fall accident could experience chronic pain, limited mobility, and a permanent dulling of the senses. These problems, besides affecting quality of life, can also be emotionally devastating, resulting in depression and anxiety. Finally, nerve damage can affect a victim’s ability to work or even take part in day-to-day activities.
Call the Experienced Marietta Slip and Fall Lawyers at Shiver Hamilton Campbell
Slip and fall accident victims who sustain nerve damage may experience chronic pain or have difficulty earning an income for years to come. It is, however, possible to recover these losses from the negligent property owner responsible for the slip and fall accident. To learn more about filing this type of claim, please call 404-593-0020 and set up a meeting with the experienced Atlanta slip and fall lawyers at Shiver Hamilton Campbell today. A member of our team is standing by and prepared to get started on your case right away.
Sources:
hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/peripheral-nerve-injury
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4408553/
