With winters coming in with the full storm, winters loving all around the country are ecstatic. However, what cannot be ignored are the inevitable risks attached with winters in the form of slip and fall injuries on the snow or ice. Winter hazards are a cause of concern all over the World, and admittedly. At the same time, road accidents due to icy roads and skiing accidents sound way riskier when it comes to winter hazards. The most dangerous and commonly occurring winter hazard is slip and fall injury accidents on ice or snow. Be it while walking on the street or climbing up or down the stairs.
What may be surprising to most of you is that across the United States, approximately 1 million Americans are injured annually due to falling on ice or snow, and this, unfortunately, causes an average of 17,000 deaths per year. “Knowing the causes and risks associated with any personal injury accidents such as slip and fall can help an individual to know whether they can claim for compensation or not” says attorney Anthony Ivone, founding attorney at Costa Ivone Injury Lawyers. Hence, it is essential to be aware of the types and risks attached with slip and fall injuries due to snow and the treatment options.
The types of injuries that can occur due to slip and fall accidents during the Winter season:
Slip and fall accidents during the winter season can result in various injuries, such as
- Compression fractures
- Broken bones or fractures of various bones in the body such as hips, knee cap, ankles, wrists, shin, backbone, etc.
- Concussions due to bumping the head hard as a result of the fall
- Ligaments strains, muscle sprains, and hairline fractures
- Herniated discs in the lower back or any part of the spine
- Dislocated shoulders
- Jaw clicking
- Amongst others.
The Risks associated with Winter Hazards:
While anyone can be significantly affected by a slip and fall accident on ice or snow, the risks associated with these accidents depend on factors such as the health, age, fitness, body structure, and intensity of the accident, amongst others. Even though anyone can face a severe slip and fall accident by slipping on the ice or snow, these accidents can also turn fatal; senior citizens and pregnant women are at most risk. Statistics suggest that for senior citizens, slip and fall accidents are the most common cause of injuries, and sadly, these injuries prove to be 3 times more fatal for people over the age of 70 compared to those aged 69 or lower.
Treatment options for winter accidents:
The treatment required for your accident will vary from case to case, and different situations may require additional treatment plans. However, finances can cause concern for most people, especially senior citizens, who are unable to get medical attention due to financial constraints. If this is the case for you, it is best advised to contact a reliable personal injury lawyer or an expert insurance lawyer that can guide you with the best course of action to take in your case and help you plan out a treatment option that fits you financially. If there is a possibility of you suffering from the injury due to the negligence of an external agent, the personal injury lawyer can also help you evaluate that and let you know if you can fight for compensation.
