Hip injuries after a slip and fall accident are among the most serious and painful injuries anyone can suffer. A hip injury has lifelong consequences.
Different kinds of hip injuries can result from a slip and fall accident, some injuries, such as a hip fracture, require surgery. Not only can hip pain after a fall be excruciating, but it can also lead to huge medical bills, extended time off work, and unexpected costs like daycare, transportation services, grocery delivery services, and more.
How Salamati Law Can Help
If you have sustained a hip injury because of a slip and fall accident, you may be wondering if you can recover monetary damages. Every case is unique. Our attorneys based in Southern California will evaluate your case and determine what your slip and fall compensation amount could be. This includes, for example, lost wages, medical bills and expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses.
In representing you, Salamati Law will prove that you fell because of the premise owner’s negligence, and you have experienced pain and suffering because of your hip injury as a result.
Hip injuries after slip and fall accidents can have lifelong impacts. Given the sudden and unpredictable nature of a slip and fall accident, the type and severity of hip injuries will vary. Here are some of the most common types of hip injuries we see caused by slip and fall accidents.
Common Hip Injuries Resulting from Slip and Fall Accidents
Hip pain after a fall can be caused by a variety of hip injuries. Some will need one or more surgeries.
Hip Fractures
A broken hip causes nerve endings in the bone to rub together, which is excruciatingly painful. The injury also can damage surrounding tissue and diminish blood flow.
The hip bears your body weight. Even a hairline fracture from a fall is very painful. An X-ray will reveal the severity of the fracture and enable your doctor to plan surgery and post-operative therapies.
Post-Operative Complications
A broken hip diminishes mobility, causing muscle wasting. When surgery is delayed, it makes recovery more difficult because you are weaker. Older individuals who often have lost muscle mass due to aging are at a heightened risk when surgery is delayed. After surgery, a hip fracture can result in a potentially fatal post-operative complication; for example, a blood clot in the leg can travel to the lungs (a pulmonary embolism).
Osteoporosis Risk
A broken hip puts you at greater risk of developing Osteoporosis, a painful, degenerative bone disease. Osteoporosis makes you more likely to suffer bone fractures, including another hip fracture requiring surgery.
Hip Dislocation
Hip surgery after a slip and fall accident can result in a complication called dislocation when the hip joint doesn’t stay in the hip socket. Dislocation is painful and tends to occur in patients who have arthritis.
Another surgery is required to fix dislocation, subjecting you to more time in the hospital and risking infection and more physical therapy.
Hip Strain
A slip and fall can traumatize the muscles supporting the hip, causing pain known as a hip strain. This can become a chronic problem that limits mobility.
Bursitis
Bursitis is an inflammation of small, fluid-filled sacs near the hip joint that act as cushions. The inflammation makes it painful to walk, climb stairs or lie down on one’s side.
Labral Tear
A painful labral tear can result in hip pain after a fall. The labrum is a lining that cushions the hip socket. Surgery is required to repair a labral tear.
“Snapping Hip” Syndrome
After hip replacement surgery, you may develop a condition called Snapping Hip syndrome. The condition acquired this name because it causes the hip to make a clicking or snapping noise as you walk. This causes pain and can necessitate further surgery to correct it.
Persistent Pain and Dying Bone
Persistent pain after a fall is common after a hip injury. Diminished blood flow causes a condition known as Osteonecrosis, in which the bone dies for lack of sufficient blood. This can be caused by bone loss and diminished blood flow.
The Importance of Prompt Medical Attention After a Fall
Medical research has shown that a hip fracture requires surgery as early as possible to repair the fracture and minimize loss of muscle mass and preserve mobility. Multiple surgeries may be necessary depending on your hip fracture. Each surgery results in large, visible scars.
Building a Strong Slip and Fall Claim for Your Hip Injury
When you have hip injuries from falling, it’s important to document your medical journey. Retain all of your medical records; keep all your forms and imaging records in a single location.
It’s helpful to keep a diary about your recovery. This can be done by recording daily videos on your phone or text messages, writing in a journal, or another method that suits you. Note your hip pain after a fall, and whether you can walk—and how far. Mention the therapies you are undergoing. Get a second medical opinion about your hip injury, and your level of pain.
When you reach out to Salamati law in Los Angeles, these records will help your slip and fall attorney build a strong case to recover money damages for you. We are proud of our track record of advocating for the injured. We have helped many people seek justice after a fall and look forward to doing the same for you. If you have questions about your case, our team has answers. Schedule your free consultation today.
