If you are suffering from hip injuries you sustained in a fall, you understand how significantly this type of injury can affect your life. What may seem like a minor incident can result in lingering injuries that will require a long and painful recovery, as well as extensive medical support. While older individuals may be at a higher risk of serious injury from a fall, younger victims can suffer severely as well.
Your accident may be the result of factors beyond your control. You could be suffering because a store or place of business failed to remove a hazard or properly maintain premises. If you believe your accident and continued suffering from a hip injury is the result of the actions or negligence of another party, you could have legal options available to you.
Types of hip injuries
Hip injuries can range in severity, with some even permanently affecting one’s mobility and physical capabilities. Even in a young victim, a hip injury can lead to serious long-term consequences. Some of the most common types of hip injuries suffered in fall-related accidents include:
- Labral tear — This is damage done to the cartilage that surrounds the hip joint. This damage can lead to a clicking feeling, pain in the groin area and problems with range of motion.
- Dislocation — This can happen when a fall causes the femur to move, sometimes completely out of socket. This is extremely painful, and it may require surgery to repair.
- Bursitis — This happens when bursa in the hip area become inflamed, leading to pain after movement. The area may also feel warm to the touch.
- Fracture — A fracture can occur when the force of a fall leads to damage to the bone in the hip area. In addition to extreme pain, it can also lead to surgery and limited movement.
- Hip strain — A fall can lead to a strain in the ligaments, tendons and muscles in the hip area. These may not be severe injuries, but they can be painful and last for an extended period of time.
You do not have to suffer from your hip injury alone. It is possible that you could have grounds to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim after a trip-and-fall or slip-and-fall. The civil justice system in New Mexico allows victims of different types of accidents to hold liable parties accountable for their recklessness and negligence.