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Fresno is a hardworking city. It’s a place where agriculture, construction, and other blue-collar industries keep the economy moving. About 24% of workers in Fresno are employed in blue-collar jobs. These jobs often involve long hours, heavy lifting, and working in environments where slip-and-fall accidents can happen. But it’s not just blue-collar workers who are at risk. Anyone, from office employees to shoppers at the mall, can suffer a serious injury from a fall.

Slip-and-fall accidents don’t discriminate. They can happen at work, in grocery stores, at restaurants, in someone’s home, or even on a public sidewalk. Sometimes, it’s just bad luck, maybe you weren’t paying attention or lost your balance. 

Other times, it’s due to someone else’s negligence, like a business failing to clean up a spill or a homeowner neglecting a broken step. No matter the cause, a bad fall can lead to painful, life-changing injuries. Whatever the case may be, you should not hesitate to hire a slip and fall attorney in Fresno to determine the specifics of your situation and help you find compensation to cover your losses.

Let’s take a look at the five most common injuries that result from slip-and-fall accidents in Fresno.

1. Broken Bones

When you slip, your natural instinct is to try and catch yourself. Unfortunately, this reaction often leads to broken bones. Wrists, arms, and hips are especially vulnerable because of the way people land when they fall. 

Even outside the workplace, a broken bone from a slip and fall can make everyday activities such as driving or cooking extremely difficult.

2. Sprains and Strains

Twisting or landing the wrong way can result in sprains and strains, which affect the ligaments and muscles in your body. Ankles, knees, and wrists are the most common trouble spots. A sprained ankle or wrist can make it impossible to do your job. 

Unlike broken bones, which show up clearly on X-rays, sprains and strains don’t always look serious, but they can cause extreme pain and limited movement for weeks.

3. Head Injuries

Head injuries are some of the most dangerous consequences of slip-and-fall accidents. If you hit your head on the ground or another hard surface, you could suffer a concussion or even a traumatic brain injury (TBI). 

Symptoms don’t always show up immediately after the fall or accident, and this is what makes them particularly dangerous. You might feel fine at first, only to develop headaches, dizziness, or confusion hours or days later. 

In some cases, head injuries can cause long-term cognitive issues, memory problems, and chronic pain. If you ever hit your head during a fall, get medical attention immediately.

4. Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

Falls can do serious damage to your back and spinal cord, leading to chronic pain or, in severe cases, paralysis. A slipped or herniated disc can cause pain that radiates through the body, making it difficult to stand, sit, or walk. A back injury can mean losing your ability to work entirely. These injuries often require expensive long-term treatment, including physical therapy, pain management, and even surgery.

5. Cuts and Abrasions

When you fall on a rough or sharp surface, you can end up with cuts, scrapes, or deep lacerations. While some cuts might heal quickly, others may require stitches or leave permanent scars. 

Hands, knees, and the face are common areas for these injuries, and in severe cases, they can lead to infections or complications. For workers in Fresno who rely on physical labor, deep cuts on the hands can make it nearly impossible to do their jobs.

Considering the extensiveness of these common injuries, it only makes the most sense that you file a worker’s comp as soon as possible to give you some form of solace while you recover.