Balloon pilot reported a hard landing after making a precautionary landing due to deteriorating weather conditions after launching. A passenger was injured from the rough landing and the pilot provided first aid.

Narrative

I chose to fly out of ZZZ due to the fact our normal launch location was not flyable because of visibility. I was flying for Company A; when I looked at the conditions for ZZZ it looked like a normal VFR flight. I drove out to ZZZ and saw Company B balloons setting up in the normal launch location. We began to set up our balloons and once we began cold inflation; I noticed low clouds forming to the northeast of us. I figured they would stay the way they were since they weren't forecasted. Once I stood the balloon up I noticed them getting closer. I loaded my passengers in the basket and went over our landing briefing and positions for landing. I let everyone know about the possibility of a tip over landing as part of my standard briefing. As I heated the balloon to flying temperature I got buoyant and took off. Once up in the air I realized the clouds had made their way above us. I made the decision to go through the clouds; thinking I would have speed up above to travel ahead of them. I needed to climb to be able to not fly low above the congested town. From the moment I saw the clouds above me I knew I needed to find a spot to land and I was determined to end the flight early.Once I climbed through the clouds I realized the clouds rolled in from the east as well; in the direction I was headed. I maintained level flight until I could see the almond fields beneath me that were a sign I had passed the town and was in the area of open fields. I began my descent and this point I could see the ground below but was surrounded by clouds. Once I was below the ceiling; I notified my passengers that I was going to take the next open field and that we were going to land hard; slide; and tip over; and that they needed to get into their landing positions. We were traveling at approximately 15 MPH at this point. I told everyone to get into landing positions and I was getting ready to land. I was getting as low as possible to the ground so that we could complete a nice long slide. I made my approach and let everyone know to brace. We made contact with the ground a total of three times. The first we hit a berm and pendulum; then made contact with the ground a second time; then pendulum once more. We came to a stop and slid on the side of the basket on the third contact. During our second contact I noticed the passenger on my right had bumped her head on the face of her partner. He cut his lip and I saw blood by the time we were getting ready for the 3rd contact with the ground. Throughout the multiple contacts with the ground I was announcing that we were coming in again and to brace. Once we slid to a stop I made sure to check in with everyone and continuously asked if everyone was OK. I made sure to have everyone stay in the basket until I told them it was safe to get out. I made sure to have the bottom row get out first and then the top row. I had my first aid kit on hand and gave the gentleman some bandages to wipe down. My crew arrived and I gave everyone waters and had them get in the van and the driver took them back.