Internal Injuries That Often Follow Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common causes of serious injuries in the United States. It can cause more damage than what appears on the surface. Injuries like bleeding around vital organs, swelling in the brain, and damage to the spinal cord can develop quietly in the days following the fall.

Recognizing the signs of internal injuries after a slip and fall, such as severe abdominal pain/tenderness, dizziness, fainting, rapid heart rate, confusion, dark/bloody stool, deep bruising, etc., can help prompt timely medical attention.

Understanding these risks is important because internal injuries may worsen if they are not treated quickly. This article discusses some of the internal injuries that commonly occur after slip and fall accidents.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

One of the most dangerous internal injuries that can occur after a fall is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This occurs when a person’s head hits the ground or another hard surface.

When you hit a hard surface, the brain can slam against the inside of the skull, causing bleeding or swelling in the brain tissue. Generally, TBI injury can range from a mild concussion to more severe injuries like 

• Subdural 
• Epidural hematomas.

These injuries can become life-threatening if not treated as soon as possible. 

Warning signs:

• Headache 
• Confusion
• Memory loss 
• Vomiting 
• Dizziness.

These signs indicate serious brain damage.

Internal Bleeding

Another injury that doesn’t show up easily is internal bleeding. This may occur after a slip and fall. 

When a person experiences blunt force trauma during a fall, the blood vessels inside the body can rupture without any visible wound on the skin. This hidden bleeding can occur in vital areas such as the 

• Abdomen
• Chest 
• Pelvis.

Symptoms of internal bleeding may include dizziness, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, or swelling or pain in the abdomen region. 

It is important to seek emergency medical care because these conditions can worsen over time.

Organ Damage

A slip and fall can cause serious injuries beyond broken bones. One may experience vital internal organ damage. A sudden impact can place intense pressure on the abdominal area. 

This puts organs like the liver, spleen, and kidneys at risk. These organs are protected by soft tissue and the rib cage. So, a strong fall on a hard surface can lead to significant internal trauma.

In some cases: 

• Spleen rupture may lead to severe internal bleeding that requires immediate surgery. 
• Kidney injuries can cause symptoms such as blood in the urine and back pain.
• Liver injuries are also dangerous and can result in long-term health complications.

Spinal Cord Injuries

At times, during a fall, severe pressure to the spine can lead to spinal cord damage. This damage can even lead to partial or complete paralysis. Spinal cord injuries are typically classified into two 

1. Complete (all movements and sensation below the injuries are lost)
2. Incomplete (some functions remain).

Falls can also cause damaged discs in the spine. When a disc presses on nearby nerves, it leads to pain or numbness. Here it’s important to understand that untreated spinal injuries can worsen over time. 

Pneumothorax and Rib Injuries

A hard fall that impacts the chest can lead to broken ribs. When ribs fracture, their sharp edges can sometimes puncture the lung, causing a pneumothorax. This condition may cause 

• Sudden chest pain
• Difficulty in breathing 
• Rapid heart rate.

In more dangerous situations, air can continue to build up in the chest, which leads to a tension pneumothorax. This can be life-threatening without emergency care. 

Why Immediate Medical Attention Matters

As aforementioned, internal injuries do not show immediate symptoms. Hence, seeking medical care soon after a call allows doctors to detect hidden injuries early and prevent them from becoming more serious.

Apart from that, medical evaluation is also important if the fall was caused by unsafe conditions such as a wet floor and uneven pavement. 

Key Takeaways

• Slip and fall accidents are among the most common ones that cause serious injuries.
• There are multiple injuries one can get after a slip and fall accident.
• Traumatic brain injury is caused when a person’s head hits the ground.
• Internal bleeding is very common in slip and fall.
• Beyond broken bones, one may experience internal organ damage also.
• Severe pressure to the spine during a fall can lead to spinal cord damage.