11 Symptoms to Look for After a Slip and Fall Accident

Slip and fall accidents may seem minor on the surface, but they can actually cause serious, long-lasting injuries. After taking a nasty spill, adrenaline can mask pain and symptoms at first. But certain red flags in the hours and days after require medical attention.

In this post, we’ll cover 11 key symptoms and signs of injury you shouldn’t ignore following a slip and fall incident. From persistent headaches to tingling extremities, we’ll break down what each one could indicate and why you need to get checked out, even if you think you “just have a few bumps and bruises.”

1. Headaches or Dizziness: Potential Accident Concussion Signs

After a slip and fall accident, pay close attention to headaches or dizziness. These symptoms could mean you have a concussion or other head injuries, which can have serious consequences if left untreated.

Seek medical attention promptly if you feel a migraine or feel off-balance. A medical professional can properly diagnose your condition and recommend the appropriate course of treatment.

A slip-and-fall attorney can also help you protect your legal rights and seek compensation for your medical expenses.

2. Confusion or Memory Loss: More Than Just a Fall Injury Bump

Do not dismiss confusion or memory loss as mere side effects of a bump on the head following a slip-and-fall accident. These symptoms may indicate more profound harm, such as a traumatic brain injury.

If you have trouble recalling the details of the accident, feel disoriented, or struggle to concentrate on everyday tasks, consult with a medical professional immediately.

3. Nausea or Vomiting: Your Body’s Head Injury Warning Sign

If sick to your stomach, especially in combination with headaches or dizziness, prompt treatment is necessary to prevent further complications.

Slip and fall attorneys can help you quantify serious injury harm and fight for compensation for other damages related to your injury.

4. Back Pain or Stiffness: A Common Yet Serious Injury Symptom

Back injuries or stiffness is a typical slip and fall injury but should never be taken lightly. If you experience severe pain or stiffness in your back or neck, especially if problematic moving or bending accompanies the pain, it may be a sign of spinal cord damage or a herniated disc.

5. Numbness or Tingling: A Nerve Damage Personal Injury

Numbness or tingling in your extremities following a slip-and-fall accident is often unbearable. These sensations and weaknesses could indicate nerve damage or a spinal cord injury.

6. Swelling or Bruising: More Than Just a Surface-Level Concern

Swelling or bruising at the site of an injury may seem like a surface-level concern, but these symptoms can indicate a more severe deep-tissue injury, such as a sprain or strain.

If you notice visible swelling or bruising accompanied by pain or tenderness when touching the affected area, seek medical attention and document your symptoms through photos and videos.

This proof is necessary when building a substantial personal injury claim, as a slip and fall attorney can use this information to fight for compensation to remedy your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages related to your injury.

7. Difficulty Breathing or Chest Pain: Potentially Life-Threatening Situations

You should treat difficulty breathing or chest pain following a hard fall as a potentially life-threatening situation.

These symptoms could be a sign of a rib fracture or internal bleeding, both of which require immediate medical attention.

8. Abdominal Pain or Swelling: A Signal of Internal Injuries

Abdominal pain or swelling may signal internal bleeding or organ damage. Life-altering symptoms include tenderness, swelling, or bloating, requiring early intervention to mitigate long-term complications.

9. Trouble Walking or Standing: Don’t Overlook Mobility Issues

Trouble walking or standing following is a mobility issue that requires further medical diagnoses. If you find it difficult to put weight on the affected leg or foot or catch yourself limping or favoring one side of the body, it could be a sign of a fracture, sprain, or other lower-body injury.

10. Blurred Vision or Sensitivity to Light: Neurological Warning Signs

Blurred vision or sensitivity to light are neurological warning signs. If you experience difficulty focusing or become light sensitive, it may indicate you’ve experienced a concussion or traumatic brain injury.

Do not ignore these symptoms, as they can indicate a neurological issue requiring prompt medical attention.

11. Fatigue or Sleepiness: Subtle Yet Significant Slip and Fall Injury Symptom

Fatigue or sleepiness following a fall accident may seem routine, but it’s often a grave indication of a more complicated head injury. If you feel exhausted or have difficulty concentrating, seek emergency services before the condition worsens.

Slip and Fall Attorneys Protect Your Recovery and Legal Rights

Slip and fall accidents provoke many injuries, from minor bruises to life-altering harm. By familiarizing yourself with the symptoms discussed above, you can better prepare yourself to recognize serious injury warning signs.

Remember, you don’t have to face the challenges of a slip and fall injury alone. Held, Held & Held is a reputable New York slip-and-fall law firm with experienced personal injury attorneys dedicated to helping you fully recover.

Contact our injury lawyers for a free consultation and case evaluation to help you seek the compensation you deserve.