Anyone who has a slip and fall accident could suffer severe injuries, but for pregnant women, these accidents carry extraordinary risks for the mother and the unborn child. This is the sad reality of slip and fall accidents for pregnant women.
If you got injured in a slip and fall accident during your pregnancy, you can talk with a Little Rock personal injury attorney about seeking compensation for your injuries and losses. There is no charge for the initial consultation.
Unique Risks for Pregnant Women in Slip and Fall Accidents
Pregnancy can cause a woman to be at a greater risk of losing her balance or falling because of changes in her center of gravity, dizziness, and blood pressure issues. When you combine these factors with a negligently maintained grocery store, restaurant, or another retail establishment, you will understand why so many pregnant women get hurt because of slip and fall accidents.
The sudden blow to the body from a fall could cause a woman to go into premature labor. She could have internal bleeding, which can be life-threatening for her and the baby. The unborn child could experience fetal distress, which can cause a lack of oxygen or bleeding in the baby’s brain. The placenta could detach from the wall of the uterus, which could lead to the death of the baby, the mother, or both.
Common Injuries for Anyone in a Slip and Fall Accident
Even if there are no direct injuries to the unborn child from the slip and fall accident, there are many injuries the mother could suffer from the fall. Often, the mother twists and contorts her body, trying to protect the baby from injury.
Here are a few of the common wounds from slip and fall accidents, in addition to pregnancy injuries:
- Fractures. The mother might suffer broken ribs, wrists or arms, ankles, or legs in the fall. If the mother must have certain parts of the body immobilized for proper healing, the pregnancy becomes higher risk for both mother and baby.
- Head Trauma. Traumatic brain injuries, concussions, and skull fractures are common in slip and fall accidents. If the mother experiences an altered state of consciousness like a coma because of a head injury, the life of the mother and unborn child could be at risk.
- Spinal Cord Injury. The muscles and vertebrae of the mother’s back could be injured in a slip and fall accident. If the mother’s spinal cord gets damaged in the fall, she could develop complete or partial paralysis on one or both sides of the body. This situation could impact labor, delivery, self-care, and taking care of the child.
Medical personnel might have a challenging balancing act of treating the mother’s wounds in a manner that does not harm the unborn child. They will need to be careful with anesthesia and other drugs, radiation from X-rays, and other imaging studies, as well as certain medical procedures.
An Arkansas personal injury attorney will treat you with compassion and respect if you got injured in a slip and fall accident when pregnant. You can reach out to us today for a free consultation. There is no obligation.
