Nashville Hospitals See Influx of Slip and Fall Patients
The emergency room staff in hospitals across Nashville has been working overtime to accommodate the extra patients who have come in after slipping and falling on ice all over town. Many people have suffered contusions, broken bones, and head injuries as a result of slipping on the ice that has accumulated from the rash of winter storms that have hit the city. Medical professionals are warning people to be more cautious to avoid more slip and falls this winter.
Increase in Emergency Room Injuries
One nurse at an area hospital said that the ER has seen a countless stream of patients coming in with injuries like broken wrists, hip injuries and head injuries after slipping on icy sidewalks and driveways. “We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people having slip and fall injuries.” Over the course of only two days, one hospital saw over fifty patients who suffered injuries as a result of slip and fall accidents.
Slip and fall accidents on ice can cause a wide variety of injuries, from minor scrapes and bruises to severe broken bones and traumatic brain injuries. For seniors walking on the slippery ice in Nashville, falling and breaking a hip is a major concern. Other injuries that the hospital emergency rooms have seen include broken wrists, broken arms, bruised knees and hips, broken noses, broken ankles, and serious head injuries.
A patient who came into the hospital told the media that he slipped and fell on the ice twice while trying to help a neighbor get his car out of the snow. “It was very slick and I took a hard fall,” he said. The patient ended up falling twice, which resulted in him injuring his hip, shoulders and the back of his neck. He is still healing but is expected to make a full recovery. Even state representative Brenda Gilmore slipped and fell on the ice last weekend while making her way to the capitol building, and she too is now recovering from her injuries at home.
How to Avoid Icy Slip and Falls
Medical professionals are suggesting that people use more caution when walking on their icy driveways, sidewalks, and roads. Try walking like a duck or a penguin, with your feet turned slightly outwards and use small gentle steps. Other suggestions for avoiding slip and falls on the ice is to wear rubber soled boots and use salt on driveways and walkways at home. Make sure that you look where you are walking, and try to avoid stepping in places that look icy or slippery.
Call a Personal Injury Lawyer Now
Slip and fall accidents on ice can result in serious injuries like broken bones and head trauma. If you or a loved one has slipped and fallen because of the ice in the Nashville area, let the experienced personal injury lawyers at Calhoun Law, PLC help. Call the office or contact us today for a free and confidential consultation of your case.
