Hand Injuries After Slips and Falls in Tampa

Hand injuries are relatively common for slip-and-fall victims. When someone falls, they typically outstretch their arms to cushion the impact. While this might protect more vulnerable parts of the body, it can also cause severe hand injuries. These injuries can lead to significant medical expenses, missed wages, and non-economic damages. How do you pursue the compensation you need? Could a Tampa slip and fall lawyer help?

FOOSH Hand Injuries Explained 

After suffering hand injuries after a fall, you may become familiar with the acronym “FOOSH.” This stands for “Fallen Onto an Outstretched Hand.” Although these injuries are commonly associated with seniors and athletes, they can affect anyone. FOOSH accidents encompass many different injuries:

• Bruises: Although bruising is not a serious FOOSH injury, it can be painful and debilitating. Workers might need to miss a few days while resting from serious bruising after a fall. Bruising may also indicate the presence of a more serious injury.
• Fractures: Various fractures are possible after falling onto an outstretched hand. These include finger fractures, wrist fractures, hand fractures, and much more. The hand is filled with some of the most delicate bones in the human body, and they may easily break after even slight impacts.
• Dislocations: Falling onto an outstretched hand may also cause a variety of dislocations. These include dislocated fingers, knuckles, and wrists. The impact can reach all the way up the arm, potentially dislocating the shoulder.
• Torn Ligaments: A serious fall can easily tear ligaments. The wrist is particularly vulnerable, and sudden impacts often tear the scapholunate ligament. Many other ligaments connect the fragile carpal bones in the wrist.
• Sprains: Like bruises, sprains may seem relatively minor to the casual observer. However, serious sprains can easily put workers out of commission for months.

Can I Pursue Compensation After a Slip and Fall in Tampa? 

You may be able to pursue compensation after a slip and fall in Tampa if you can prove that someone else was to blame for your accident. In a premises liability lawsuit, your goal is to show that a property owner’s negligence led to your accident. Examples of property owner negligence include broken stairs, dimly lit corridors, liquid spills, debris, cracked pathways, and much more.

In order to pursue compensation, you must establish your damages. These are your losses, and they may be economic or non-economic. A typical worker cannot earn any income with hand injuries. Whether you’re typing at a computer all day or lifting lumber at a construction site, working is impossible without a good set of hands.

Aside from lost income, common damages include medical expenses and loss of enjoyment of life. If you suffer permanent hand injuries and can no longer enjoy your previous hobbies, you could receive additional compensation. For example, playing the guitar or the piano may be impossible thanks to your permanent hand injuries.

How Can a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Tampa Help Me? 

If you are struggling with hand injuries after a slip and fall, consider contacting an experienced Tampa personal injury lawyer. With help from one of these legal professionals, you can pursue the compensation you need to cover missed wages, medical expenses, emotional distress, and other damages. To learn more about your legal options, contact Anderson & Anderson today.

Sources: 

templehealth.org/about/blog/broken-fall-hand-foosh-injury-prevent

jucm.com/injuries-upper-extremity-due-falls-outstretched-hands-foosh/