Common Bone Fractures in Women’s Trip & Fall Accidents & How a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Large shopping centers like The Galleria, Sawgrass Mills, and Coral Ridge draw thousands of visitors each day—but for women with underlying bone-weakening conditions, a simple misstep on escalator landings, uneven parking-lot pavement, or wet food-court floors can lead to serious fractures. Knowing the most common bone injuries from trip-and-fall accidents and when to contact a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer is critical to protecting your health and financial future.

Bone fragility is no small matter: up to 37 million fragility fractures occur globally each year in people over age 55—that’s roughly 70 fractures per minute . Women over 50 are disproportionately affected: one in three will experience an osteoporotic fracture in her remaining lifetime . Even absent a fall, weakened bones can collapse under everyday pressures—but a trip or slip in a crowded mall setting often becomes the tipping point for hip, wrist, or spinal fractures.

1. Hip Fractures
   • Often occur when a woman loses her balance on a slick tile or uneven curb.
   • Require surgical repair and can lead to extended hospital stays and rehabilitation.
2. Wrist (Distal Radius) Fractures
   • Result from instinctively reaching out to break a fall.
   • May need casting, possible surgical fixation, and weeks of physical therapy.
3. Spinal (Vertebral Compression) Fractures
   • Can happen from a low-energy fall onto a hard surface (e.g., food-court tile).
   • Lead to acute back pain, height loss, and potential posture changes if undiagnosed.
4. Ankle and Foot Fractures
   • Arise when twisting an ankle on uneven pavement in parking lots or walkways.
   • Often underestimated, but these injuries can cause chronic instability if not treated properly.
5. Shoulder (Proximal Humerus) Fractures
   • Occur when bracing a fall against a shopping cart or railing.
   • May require surgery and lengthy immobilization, impacting daily activities.

• Miami International Mall: Pooling water near food-court entrances after mop-up; abrupt elevation changes at entry ramps.
• Dolphin Mall: Cracked pavement in surface lots; crowded walkways near high-traffic retail outlets.
• Bayside: Inconsistent floor surfaces between indoor and outdoor sections; unsecured door mats at store entrances.

Even when malls have insurance coverage, property owners are legally required to maintain safe premises. When they fail, the resulting fractures can have lifelong implications.

• Incident Reports & Surveillance
  Gather official reports and video footage from mall security.
• Site Assessment
  Inspect flooring, lighting, signage, and maintenance records in the exact area of your fall.
• Witness Interviews
  Document testimony from bystanders, employees, and other shoppers.

• Medical Record Review
  Compile records detailing fracture type, treatment, and any pre-existing bone-density tests.
• Specialist Consultations
  Coordinate with orthopedists and radiologists to explain how low bone density intensified your injuries.

• Economic Losses
  Calculate hospital bills, surgery costs, physical therapy, and lost wages.
• Non-Economic Damages
  Quantify pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life.

• Comprehensive Demand Package
  Present a clear narrative linking the mall’s negligence to your severe fractures.
• Countering Defense Strategies
  Pre-empt “pre-existing condition” arguments by documenting your prior bone-health status and risk factors.

• Filing Suit
  Pursue premises-liability claims under Florida law when insurers undervalue your case.
• Court Advocacy
  Present testimony on both negligent conditions and bone-density factors to maximize verdicts.

1. Report the Fall
   • Notify mall management or security before leaving.
   • Obtain a copy of the incident report.
2. Document the Hazard
   • Photograph the exact location: wet spots, cracked pavement, missing warning signs.
   • Take clear images of your injuries and any torn or damaged clothing.
3. Collect Witness Information
   • Get names and contact details of employees, shoppers, or security staff who saw your fall.
4. Seek Immediate Medical Care
   • Get evaluated for fractures, even if pain seems mild.
   • Mention any history of bone-density loss to ensure proper imaging.
5. Contact a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer
   • Early legal involvement preserves critical evidence.
   • Your attorney handles insurer communications so you can focus on healing.

Trip-and-fall accidents at busy shopping centers like Miami International Mall, Dolphin Mall, and Bayside can result in fractures that derail independence and finances—especially for women with fragile bones. A Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer ensures negligent property owners and their insurers are held accountable, fighting for full compensation for your medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Since 1963, Jerome Wolfson, Esq. and the team at Wolfson & Leon have proudly served accident victims across Florida:

• Miami
• Orlando
• Tampa
• Jacksonville
• Fort Lauderdale
• West Palm Beach
• Fort Myers
• Cape Coral
• Sarasota
• Clearwater
• Tallahassee

Let us help you get back on the road to recovery. Call (305) 285-1115 today, and our team will handle your case with the personal care and attention you deserve.