Every property owner in Pennsylvania owes visitors and patrons a duty of care. Failing to address or repair known hazardous conditions can result in premises liability lawsuits. Extra caution is advisable during winter months due to the increased likelihood of encountering slippery surfaces in parking areas or shopping malls.
Entrances to malls or buildings are particularly hazardous, as high volumes of consumers bring in snow and ice, leaving wet surfaces behind. When property owners neglect these dangers, you could end up dealing with a FOOSH injury during the holidays.
If you suffered a FOOSH injury on a hazardous property, the Western Pennsylvania slip and fall attorneys at Luxenberg Garbett Kelly & George P.C. can help you seek compensation for your injuries. Our dedicated team can assess your case, gather evidence, and advocate for the compensation you deserve to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain caused by your injury. Contact us today at (724) 658-8535 to schedule a consultation.
What Is a FOOSH Injury?
Falling is a scary experience that could result in serious injuries. If you slip and lose your balance, you will likely instinctively put out your hands to break the fall. However, this leaves you vulnerable to FOOSH injuries. The word is an acronym for “fall onto an outstretched hand”, and common injuries include fractures or sprains to the upper extremities.
Recognizing the Common Symptoms of FOOSH Injuries
FOOSH injuries can result in a variety of symptoms depending on the severity and type of injury. If you’ve recently fallen and landed on your hands, it’s important to pay attention to how your body feels. Here are some common symptoms to watch for:
- Pain: This is often the first and most noticeable symptom. Pain may be sharp, dull, or throbbing, depending on the affected area and the extent of the injury.
- Bruising: Discoloration around the injured area is common. Bruises may appear quickly or develop over a day or two.
- Swelling: Swelling can occur soon after the injury. It may make the joint or surrounding tissue feel tight or tender to the touch.
- Cuts or Breaks: A visible wound or an obvious deformity, such as a bent wrist or fingers, can indicate a fracture or dislocation.
- Limited Movement: Difficulty moving your wrist, hand, fingers, or elbow is a common sign of a FOOSH injury. This could be due to pain, swelling, or damage to the joint.
- Difficulty Bending: Trouble bending your wrist or elbow may suggest a sprain, strain, or fracture in the affected area.
If you notice any of these symptoms after a fall, consulting a medical professional is important. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage the injury and reduce the risk of long-term complications.
Typical FOOSH Injuries
Although wrist and hand damage is common, the following types of FOOSH injuries could occur:
- Dislocated shoulder: If you fall onto your outstretched arm and hand, your shoulder could come out of the joint. This could result in a torn rotator cuff or labrum injury, which involves the ring of cartilage that surrounds your shoulder’s socket.
- Fractured collarbone: The impact of the fall onto your outstretched arm could go all the way up your arm and into the collarbone, which could fracture.
- Dislocated elbow: Depending on the force of your arm hitting the floor, you could break one of the bones in your elbow, or the elbow might slip out of the joint.
- Proximal humeral fracture: If the fall forces your arm into the shoulder joint, the upper arm bone can break where it enters the shoulder socket.
- Boxer’s fracture: If your hand was in a fist when you fell onto it, you could fracture some of the small hand bones.
- Smith’s fracture: This fracture occurs when the impact forces the arm bone forward, causing fractured wrist bones.
- Colles‘ fracture: This is similar to a Smith’s fracture, but the arm bone pushes backward, causing fractured wrist bones.
| Type of Injury | Description |
|---|---|
| Dislocated Shoulder | Occurs when the shoulder comes out of the joint due to falling on an outstretched arm and hand. This can lead to torn rotator cuff or labrum injuries. |
| Fractured Collarbone | The impact of falling onto an outstretched arm can extend up to the collarbone, potentially causing a fracture. |
| Dislocated Elbow | Depending on the force of the fall, one of the bones in the elbow could break, or the elbow itself might slip out of the joint. |
| Proximal Humeral Fracture | A fall forcing the arm into the shoulder joint can break the upper arm bone where it enters the shoulder socket. |
| Boxer’s Fracture | Occurs if the hand was in a fist during the fall, leading to fractures in some of the small hand bones. |
| Smith’s Fracture | This fracture happens when the impact forces the arm bone forward, causing fractures in wrist bones. |
| Colles’ Fracture | Similar to a Smith’s fracture but involves the arm bone pushing backward, causing fractured wrist bones. |
What To Do After Suffering a FOOSH Injury?
The first thing to do after falling onto an outstretched arm and hand is to get the necessary medical treatment. However, it is not uncommon for such injuries to require long-term physical therapy because the recovery might be a slow process. The mounting medical bills might be overwhelming, especially if your injury prevents you from returning to work immediately.
The Pennsylvania civil justice system allows you to pursue financial relief if a property owner’s negligence caused the fall that led to your injuries. At Luxenberg Garbett Kelly & George P.C., our experienced Western Pennsylvania slip and fall attorneys can help you pursue a premises liability claim to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Contact us today at (724) 658-8535 to schedule a consultation.
