Attorney
During pregnancy, your stomach continues to grow, throwing off your normal weight distribution. This distribution can make you feel clumsy, putting you at a higher risk for a slip and fall while pregnant.
While you might be more prone to falls, that does not excuse the negligence of a property owner. Falling during pregnancy not only puts you at risk of serious injury to yourself, but it also poses a risk to your unborn child. Property owners are required to have a safe premise for all visitors, even pregnant ones.
When a fall occurs because of someone’s negligence, you might be entitled to compensation. The Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. slip and fall attorneys at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis, LLC can help.
Complications and Trauma From a Slip and Fall While Pregnant
Falling while pregnant may be more common than you think. Women who fall during early pregnancy do not usually have as many complications other than strains on their bodies. However, a pregnant woman in her second or third trimester is at a higher risk of suffering severe trauma to her stomach, uterus, or the unborn child.
Abdominal Injuries After Slipping and Falling During Pregnancy
Severe injuries might occur to a woman if she falls while pregnant. These injuries include:
- Preterm Labor – A pregnant woman in her last trimester with a serious injury to her abdomen could encounter preterm labor. That means the baby could be born too early due to the incident. Preterm labor could result in fetal death, especially if the fetus is not at a viable point in the pregnancy.
- Internal Bleeding – Severe injuries to the mother’s stomach or uterus could result in internal organ damage and bleeding.
- Placental Abruption – Placental abruption is a serious condition that involves the placenta detaching from the uterine wall. If this occurs, fetal distress follows. A mother may experience preterm labor, but also excessive bleeding. Abruptions that are not addressed immediately could result in maternal death.
Common Causes of Pregnancy Slip and Fall Accidents
Even if a woman is ready to write off a fall as pregnancy-related clumsiness, most falls that occur in public places are the result of a property owner’s negligence.
Some common causes of pregnancy slip and fall accidents include:
- Slippery Surfaces – From spilled products to mopped areas without warning signs, slippery surfaces are dangerous for anyone, including pregnant women.
- Torn Carpeting – Torn carpeting can create a tripping hazard, especially if a pregnant woman’s shoe were to become caught in strings or lifted pieces of the torn carpet.
- Cluttered Aisles – Store owners are required to keep their store aisles clear and free from clutter. Clutter can lead to trips and falls, and objects on the floor might not be easy to see, causing a person to trip.
- Weather Conditions – Regardless if it is raining or snowing, property owners must take precautions to ensure their property’s exterior is safe. If a store owner has reasonable time to address ice buildup on the outside of their property but fails to do so, they could be held liable for any injuries they cause as a result.
What to Do If You Fall During Pregnancy
If you do suffer a fall during pregnancy, it is important to contact your healthcare professional as soon as possible. You may need to seek emergency care if you notice the following symptoms:
- Contractions
- Abdominal pain or tenderness
- Vaginal bleeding
- Reduced baby movement
- Loss of amniotic fluid
If you don’t notice these symptoms, your healthcare provider may still ask you to come in for a checkup, especially if your fall occurred after 23 weeks of pregnancy. Your healthcare team can assess your situation and help you make a care plan depending on how serious the injury is.
Hold Negligent Owners Responsible for a Slip and Fall While Pregnant
If you experienced a devastating injury from slipping and falling while pregnant, you have the right to hold negligent property owners liable. Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis, LLP will fight on your behalf for compensation.
Speak with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys at any of our three convenient locations in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Alternatively, you can schedule your free consultation today by completing our online contact form.