More than one million Americans are injured each year due to falls. Though some walk away from slips and falls with little more than bruises and sore muscles, many experience more serious injuries. Those include broken bones and sprains as well as head, neck, back, and spinal cord injuries. Falls are a common cause of brain injuries as well.
Many fall accidents can be prevented with the right safety measures in place. Property owners and managers are responsible for taking all necessary precautions to prevent people from slipping, tripping, and falling. Unfortunately, though, many fail to do so, which is why these types of accidents are so common. If you’ve been injured in a fall, you should take certain steps after the fact to protect yourself and ensure the property owners and other parties who failed to live up to their responsibilities are held accountable for their negligence.
Get Medical Attention
Your first step after a fall should be to get medical attention even if you don’t think you’re injured. With these incidents, the impact of hitting the floor can cause plenty of injuries in its own right, and the jarring effects can exacerbate the damage. As is the case with car accidents, your injuries may take a few hours or even days to become evident. By then, the damage may be more serious than it was initially.
Getting medical care as quickly as possible after a fall is the key to minimizing the effects. Besides that, it’ll provide essential documentation of your injuries that can be used to your advantage later on if you decide to sue those responsible. That documentation of early medical treatment can help prove that your injuries were a direct result of the fall.
Documentation
Documentation is one of the best ways to solidify your case, but that goes well beyond records of emergency treatment. It’s important to document as much of the situation as possible. That includes taking pictures of the scene of the accident and the factors that contributed to your fall. Some of the prime culprits are wet floors, ice, loose handrails, uneven surfaces, and loose rugs. Be sure to show a lack of adequate safety measures, such as signage, in those pictures if possible. Witness statements and documentation of any additional medical care you receive will also be crucial to your case.
Consult With an Attorney
Consulting with an attorney should also be a top priority. Those whose negligence led to your accident may very well be liable for covering any expenses stemming from your injuries. Medical care and lost wages are common damages awarded in these types of accidents, but you may also be entitled to pain and suffering and other types of compensation. Having an attorney on your side can improve your chances of receiving compensation for your injuries. An attorney will protect your rights and use your medical records, the evidence you provide, and other resources to strengthen your case.
Getting Resolution for Your Fall Injuries
People often sustain serious injuries in slip-and-fall accidents. They may experience severe pain, reduced mobility, and even permanent disabilities as a result. They may also miss significant time from work or be unable to return to their jobs at all because of their injuries. Along the way, their medical bills are likely to pile up, placing even more stress on them. If you’re injured in a fall, getting medical attention as quickly as possible, documenting as many relevant details as you can about the accident, and seeking help from an attorney can ensure you get resolution and adequate compensation for your injuries.
Blog Received On Mail
