When slip-and-fall accidents occur, ankles can especially be at risk. An ankle injury is likely because of the way a person tends to land on the foot when trying to avoid falling after tripping or sliding. Coming down hard on the foot can turn the ankle, and the result couple be a fracture, strain or sprain, or torn ligaments or tendons.
Ankle fractures are more likely following serious falls. Fractures may include a break to the tibia, fibula or talus. The lower bones in the leg could be fractured as well. This can be a serious injury that does long-term or permanent damage to the functionality of the ankle. In a sprain or a strain, the ligaments may be stretched, and this type of injury could take months to heal. The same could be true if the tendons or cartilage are torn.
If a slip-and-fall accident happens on property belonging to another party, the owner or business could be considered legally liable for the injuries. If the owner’s negligence caused the slip, it may be possible to file a premises liability suit.
Examples of negligence might be if a business does not warn that a floor is wet and slippery or if there is debris in a walkway that makes it unsafe. A victim of a slip-and-fall accident might want to talk to an attorney. The lawyer may negotiate with an insurance company or help in taking legal action against the responsible parties. Compensation may cover short- and long-term medical costs.
