A slip-and-fall injury can take you down in more ways than one. Although the term itself — “slip and fall” — might bring to mind a harmless event, like something you see on a sitcom followed by a burst of guffaws from the laugh track, in reality, falls may lead to severe injuries. These include traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal trauma. The very young and the very old are particularly susceptible to catastrophic damage from a fall.
If you were recently injured in a slip-and-fall accident, you do not have to let it keep you down forever. By taking the proper steps to address the situation, you can get back up from your injury and get your life back — and potentially collect compensation too.
Here are the things you should do to get back up from a slip-and-fall injury.
Set Up an Appointment With a Doctor for an Evaluation
As soon as possible after your slip and fall, you should schedule an appointment with a doctor to get an evaluation. With a full medical check-up, you not only allow your doctor to catch any damage that might need to be addressed, but you create a record of having received care after your slip and fall. This can be useful in court or in an insurance company negotiation when trying to establish a cause-and-effect relationship.
Do This As Soon As Possible
As far as when you should see your doctor for a check-up, it should be as soon as possible after your injury. Do it the same day if you can. If you are reading this and it has already been days or weeks since your fall, still schedule an exam right away. It is better to get one a week or two weeks later than months.
Why is sooner better when it comes to getting a medical exam after a slip and fall? There are two reasons. One, the sooner you get medical care, the less time any serious injury has to worsen and become harder to treat. Two, the less time that elapses between your fall and your diagnosis, the easier to draw a connection between the two.
Even if the Injury Does Not Seem Serious, You Should Get Checked Out
Some people forgo medical care after seemingly minor falls because they do not feel seriously injured. This is a mistake for the simple reason that severe injuries, particularly those affecting the head and spine, do not always manifest themselves right away.
Even if you look and feel fine, you could have a major injury lurking inside you that has not made itself known yet. The sooner you give a doctor the chance to identify and treat such an injury, the better your prognosis for recovery.
Report the Accident to the Property Owner or Manager
Next, you should report the accident to the owner or manager of the property where it occurred. Doing so creates a record of where the injury happened and that the owner or manager is aware of it. Without this documentation, you could find it difficult to pursue the property owner or manager for damages, as they might claim there is not any proof or documentation that any injury occurred on their property.
File a Claim for Compensation
After you have received medical treatment and reported your accident to the property owner or manager, it is time to meet with a lawyer and file a claim for compensation. You could be eligible to collect several types of damages to compensate you for the losses you have suffered because of your injury. These damages include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- ‘Pain and suffering’ and inconvenience
- Emotional anguish
If the property owner or manager was not just negligent but was malicious or reckless in the upkeep of their property, you might also be eligible to receive punitive compensation on top of your compensatory damages.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Personal Injury Lawyer
When choosing a personal injury lawyer to handle your slip-and-fall case, you should go with one who has certain characteristics such as:
- A successful track record of recovering damages for their clients
- A commitment to communication and transparency
Call The Parrish Law Firm, PLLC
The dedicated personal injury team at The Parrish Law Firm, PLLC, is here to help you recover the compensation you deserve for your slip-and-fall injury. If you require legal help getting back up from a slip-and-fall injury, contact our firm. We offer a free consultation and case evaluation. To schedule an appointment with a member of our staff, call us today at 571-229-1800.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form
