Winter in Chicago can be brutal. Weather conditions can increase the risk of winter slip and fall accidents. Falls during the winter can result in serious injuries. In some cases, winter slip and fall accidents cause debilitating injuries. Our Chicago slip and fall accident attorneys handle cases involving a variety of injuries, including four of the most common winter slip and fall injuries.

Winter Slip and Fall Injuries That Can Cause Long-Term Impairments 

Neck Injuries

Neck injuries are common falls, including whiplash. When a person falls, a blunt force trauma can injure the neck and shoulders. However, the whipping motion of the head caused by the hard, sudden impact can also cause a severe case of whiplash. Some neck injuries heal given time and rest. However, some victims may experience long periods of chronic pain and limited motion. Victims might require physical therapy and other medical treatment to heal from a neck injury caused by a fall.

Fractures and Broken Bones

Fractures and broken bones are another common type of fall injury. Ankle and wrist fractures are common in winter falls, but it is also common to break other bones in winter slip and fall. A clean break could take six to eight weeks to heal. However, a complex fracture that requires surgery to repair the fracture with plates, pins, and screws could take much longer to heal. Also, some broken bones could cause a permanent impairment, depending on the severity of the injury.

Brain Injuries

A person falling can strike their head on the ground or nearby objects, causing a traumatic brain injury (TBI). In some cases, the impact of the fall can cause the head to whip back and forth as it does in a rear-end accident. If the head whips strong enough back and forth, it can cause brain damage because the brain moves within the skull causing damage where it collides with the hard bone.

In either case, the resulting traumatic brain injury can cause long-term cognitive, physical, emotional, and intellectual problems. A TBI can also increase the risk of developing degenerative brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Back Injuries

Winter slip and fall accidents can cause serious back injuries. Back injuries can include spinal cord injuries, ruptured discs, and fractured vertebrae. Depending on the type of back injury, a slip and fall victim could be partially or completely paralyzed, suffer chronic pain, or have limited range of motion. The result could impact the person’s ability to work, care for themselves or care for their family.

What Should You Do After a Winter Slip and Fall Accident in Chicago?

Reporting the injury to the property owner and seeking medical treatment for injuries are the two top priorities after a winter fall. By reporting the fall and seeing a doctor immediately, you protect your health and your legal rights. Even though property owners cannot control the weather conditions in Chicago, they are required to take various steps to protect guests and visitors from falls during winter months.

Individuals who are injured in a winter slip and all may be entitled to compensation for their medical expenses, loss of income, pain, suffering, and permanent impairments. However, they must prove the legal requirements for a premises liability claim. Therefore, it is also strongly recommended that slip and fall victims consult a Chicago personal injury attorney as soon as possible after a fall.

A Chicago slip and fall attorney can provide legal counsel and guidance regarding the steps you need to take to file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your winter slip and fall accident. Your attorney investigates the fall, gathers evidence, identifies the liable parties, files an insurance claim, gathers evidence of damages, calculates the value of your slip and fall claim, and negotiates a fair settlement for your injury claim. If necessary, your attorney files a personal injury lawsuit to protect your best interests.

Contact a Chicago Slip and Fall Attorney for a Free Case Review

If you are injured in a fall this winter, contact the Chicago personal injury lawyers ofCosta Ivoneby calling (708) 400-0000 for a free consultation.

Costa Ivone, LLC
311 N Aberdeen St #100B, Chicago, IL 60607
(708) 400-0000