A Fall Accident Can Break Your Hip

Even though most hip fractures occur among people 65-years-old and older, it can happen at any age. Florida slip and fall accidents have been known to cause hip fractures and in some cases these injuries can be life threatening.

Symptoms of a Hip Fracture
If you have slipped and fallen, it is important that you recognize the signs and symptoms of a broken hip. According to MayoClinic.com, the symptoms of a hip fracture include the following:

• Excruciating pain in your hip or groin
• Inability to put weight on one of your legs
• Stiffness in hip area
• Bruising or swelling around your hip
• Shorter leg on the side of your injured hip
• Leg turns outward on the side where you injured your hip

Treatment for a Hip Fracture
An x-ray is usually used to confirm a hip fracture. Surgery is typically used to correct a broken hip and is considered to be the best hip fracture treatment. However, if you are unable to have surgery due to health reasons, your doctor may use an alternative treatment. If you were in good health before your hip fracture, your chances of a complete recovery are high.

There are some complications associated with hip fractures that you should be aware of, as they can become life threatening. Bedsores, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, muscle wasting and blood clots have been known to develop following a hip fracture. A blood clot can be fatal if it becomes lodged in a pulmonary artery.

Hip Fracture Causes & Responsibility
Your risk of sustaining a hip fracture increases significantly when you are walking in an area that has loose rugs, torn carpet, poor lighting, broken stairs, a wet surface or objects on the floor. These hazards can cause you to slip and fall, which can lead to a variety of injuries, not to mention a broken hip. In some cases, a property owner can be held liable for your injuries sustained in a slip and fall accident, which is known as premises liability. These cases can be complex, which is why you should contact an experienced injury attorney in St. Petersburg following an accident. Contact the Law Offices of William K. Saron today at (727) 345-4566 or (866) 836-4947 for legal advice.