A slip and fall can leave you with more than a few bruises or sore muscles. The force of hitting the floor, pavement, stairs, or another hard surface can sometimes damage internal organs or blood vessels. Because these injuries are hidden, you may not realize right away how seriously you have been hurt.
Internal bleeding can become life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Knowing what symptoms to watch for after a fall can help you recognize when something may be wrong and when it is time to seek medical care.
What Symptoms Can Indicate an Internal Injury?
Internal injuries do not always cause obvious symptoms immediately after an accident. How you feel can depend on the location and severity of the injury, and some symptoms may become more noticeable over time.
Possible warning signs include:
- Abdominal pain, tenderness, or swelling
- Chest pain
- Unexplained or significant bruising
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Weakness or unusual fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Pale, cool, or clammy skin
- A rapid pulse
- Confusion or decreased alertness
- Blood in the urine, stool, or vomit
Pay attention to how you feel in the hours and days after a serious fall. Symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, confusion, clammy skin, and a rapid pulse can be signs of shock associated with internal bleeding.
What Internal Injuries Can a Slip and Fall Cause?
The injuries caused by a fall often depend on how you land and whether you strike another object on the way down. A hard impact to the abdomen, chest, back, or head can be especially concerning.
A fall may cause internal bleeding, organ damage, or injuries to other tissues inside the body. These injuries can also occur alongside broken bones, head injuries, and other trauma.
One of the challenges with internal injuries is that the seriousness of the damage may not be visible from the outside. Even someone with relatively little bruising could have an injury that needs prompt medical attention.
Why Can Internal Injuries Be Difficult to Detect?
A broken bone or deep cut often makes it clear that you need medical treatment. Internal injuries can be different. There may be no obvious outward sign that something is wrong, particularly in the moments immediately following the fall.
The stress and adrenaline that come with an unexpected accident can also make it harder to recognize pain and other symptoms at first. As time passes, increasing abdominal pain, dizziness, breathing problems, weakness, or changes in alertness may become more apparent.
Doctors may use physical examinations, imaging, laboratory tests, and other diagnostic tools to determine whether an internal injury has occurred.
When Should You Seek Emergency Medical Attention?
Do not ignore symptoms that could indicate internal bleeding after a serious fall. Internal bleeding can become life-threatening and requires immediate medical care.
Severe abdominal or chest pain, trouble breathing, significant weakness, confusion, fainting, or symptoms of shock are reasons to seek emergency medical attention. Blood in your vomit, urine, or stool can also be a warning sign of internal bleeding.
When you are unsure about an injury after a fall, a qualified medical professional can evaluate your symptoms and determine whether additional testing or treatment is necessary.
Contact the Jacksonville Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers for Help
Dealing with an internal injury after a slip and fall can be frightening, especially when the full extent of the injury is not immediately clear. Getting appropriate medical care is an important first step, and you may also have questions about your legal options if someone else’s negligence contributed to your fall.
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers represents people injured in slip and fall accidents in Jacksonville, Florida. Reach out to an experienced Jacksonville slip and fall accident lawyer to schedule a free consultation today.
For more information, please contact the Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra slip-and-fall law firm of Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Duval County, St. Johns County, and the surrounding areas:
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Jacksonville
9471 Baymeadows Rd #105,
Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 396-1100
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Downtown Jacksonville
121 W Forsyth St Suite 1000,
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 822-4225
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Ponte Vedra
480 Town Plaza Ave #130,
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081
(904) 675-1167