Slip-and-fall accidents fall under the category of premises liability. After a Georgia resident falls down the stairs, they can be left with injuries. These are signs that indicate whether those injuries are serious.
Causes of falls down stairs
Although many instances of falling down the stairs are accidental, some occur because of unsafe conditions. A fall can happen when lighting is poor and it’s harder to see. A person could miss a step or two and tweak or twist an ankle or worse. Broken steps or handrails, uneven steps, clutter and spills can also lead to falls down a flight of stairs.
Some people such as the elderly and those with certain disabilities need to hold onto the handrail while using stairs. If the handrail is completely missing, it could lead to a tumble. Carpeting on stairs should be properly secured in place instead of tattered or loose as it can result in a slip-and-fall accident as well.
Knowing when a fall down the stairs is serious
Depending on the severity of the fall and the individual, an injury can be mild or serious. These are signs and symptoms you should look out for when determining whether you’ve sustained a serious injury after a slip-and-fall down the stairs. Profuse bleeding from anywhere on your body is a medical emergency. Persistent back pain or back pain that worsens over days or weeks indicates a serious injury. You might have a slipped or broken disc. Recurring headaches or those that linger for days at a time are a sign of concussion. If you have sensitivity to light and sound, blurred vision or dizziness after a fall down the stairs, you might have a more serious traumatic brain injury.
Numbness in the genital area, groin or extremities, swelling and muscle weakness are signs of a serious injury. When painkillers fail to soothe your pain, you need medical attention.