Slip and Fall While Pregnant
Any expectant parent knows how anxious you can become while trying to protect your unborn baby. It is frightening to think about suffering a slip and fall accident while pregnant. However, there are still slip and fall hazards all around that pose a danger to you and your baby. They do not disappear simply because you become pregnant. It is critical to understand these dangers and to know what to do if you trip and fall when pregnant. If you are injured in a fall, I, Jeffrey Scott Lasswell, can help you hold the negligent property owner responsible for the harm they cause you. Contact me to discuss your legal options during a free case review.
What Happens When You Fall When Expecting?
Pregnancy is a time of great change in a woman’s body. As you move along in the pregnancy, your balance and center of gravity are affected. Your center of gravity moves forward as your baby grows, making it easier for you to lose your balance and fall, especially during the third trimester. If you encounter a hazard that disrupts your balance, you might have trouble avoiding a fall.
Your womb provides protection for your unborn baby with strong muscles and amniotic fluid that cushions most blows, according to What to Expect. However, in some cases, a fall can injure the expectant mother and/or her baby, so it’s a good idea to get checked out by your OB/GYN to make sure everything is okay. You can then speak to an experienced slip and fall lawyer about whether the property owner is legally responsible for the medical costs and other financial losses associated with the fall.
Common Causes of Falls When Pregnant
Falls are the most common cause of minor injury during pregnancy, resulting in 17 to 39 percent of trauma visits associated with admissions to hospitals or emergency department visits by pregnant women, according to research published in Medscape. About 27 percent of pregnant women report falling during their pregnancy, according to a study published by Maternal and Child Health Journal.
Some of the most common causes of falling during pregnancy include:
- Slippery floors due to freshly mopped surfaces or spills
- Uneven walkways or uneven flooring
- Potholes
- Cluttered areas
- Stairs
- Carrying objects
- Poor lighting or obstructed views
- Lack of handrails
- Physical demands of work
How Falling Can Be Harmful to You and Your Baby
During the first trimester, the uterus is safely tucked behind the pelvic bone. Your body is designed to protect your developing baby via strong muscles and amniotic fluid, so many falls during the early weeks of pregnancy do not harm the baby. However, falls during the second or third trimester can be harmful to the mother and baby, especially if the abdomen experiences direct trauma.
Falls during pregnancy can result in injuries to the mother and baby, such as:
- Fractures
- Head injuries
- Sprains
- Strains
- Rupture of internal organs
- Premature separation of the placenta from the uterus
- Rupture of the uterus and membranes
- Loss of amniotic fluid
- Passage of fetal blood cells into maternal circulation
- Death
When to Seek Emergency Care After Falling During Pregnancy
According to the Mayo Clinic, you should seek emergency care if you:
- Fall during the end of your second trimester or during your third trimester
- Have vaginal bleeding
- Start having contractions
- Cannot feel the baby move
- Feel abdominal pain
It’s a scary experience to fall when you’re pregnant, so feel free to talk to your OB/GYN even if you don’t experience any of these symptoms. Your doctor can examine you, run tests to make sure everything is fine, and give you a proper diagnosis.
When to Contact an Attorney After Falling During Pregnancy
If you were injured in a slip and fall during your pregnancy that you think was caused by the negligence of a property owner, you should consider contacting an experienced Colorado Springs personal injury attorney.
Property owners have a legal responsibility to keep their properties free of hazards and to avoid harming visitors. If the property owner failed to maintain their property or fix dangerous conditions on their property and you were injured as a result, the property owner might be legally responsible for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses you have experienced.
How Colorado Springs Slip and Fall Attorney Jeffrey Scott Lasswell Can Help
If you slipped and fell while you were pregnant, a Colorado Springs slip and fall lawyer can assess your accident and your options for bringing a claim during a free case review. An experienced personal injury lawyer can:
- Explain your legal rights and options
- Investigate the cause of the accident
- Identify all parties responsible for the harm you’ve suffered
- Gather evidence to show how the property owner’s negligence caused your injuries
- Calculate the full extent of all your losses, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and possible harm to your unborn baby
- Handle all communications with the other parties involved
- Negotiate for a fair settlement
- Be your advocate every step of the way
Jeffrey Scott Lasswell, PC, care about the members of our community. I want to protect expectant mothers and their babies and make sure that property owners uphold their legal responsibilities. I used to work for insurance companies, so I know how they operate. Now, I’m fighting on the other side to ensure my clients’ rights are protected at every stage in the process.
Contact my office to learn more about how I can help you during this critical time in your life. There’s never a fee for an initial consultation, and I only get paid if I successfully recover compensation on your behalf.