01 Feb What to Do After a Slip-and-Fall | Sette Law Office
After a slip-and-fall accident, you may feel uncertain about what your options are and what to do next. Consulting the expertise of a slip-and-fall injury attorney is one way to ensure your rights are protected and that you will recover the losses that resulted from your fall.
If you have been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, let Sette Law help. Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation.
What To Do After A Slip-And-Fall
It’s important to know what to do after a slip-and-fall accident and when to hire a slip-and-fall attorney. Taking the appropriate action as quickly as possible protects your wellness and allows you to hold the negligent party responsible so you don’t suffer the financial consequences. Do the following after your fall:
Seek Medical Attention
Get medical help immediately after your fall. If you’ve suffered injuries that are visible, like broken bones or lacerations, or you have head, neck, or chest pain, go to the hospital immediately.
Depending on the extent of your slip-and-fall, some injuries may not be easily visible. This is especially the case if your slip-and-fall caused you to hit your head or abdominal area. Undetected but serious injuries from falls can include internal injuries, concussions, or sprained muscles.
Once you undergo medical care, make sure to follow up on all your doctor’s appointments, medications, physical therapy sessions, and other recommended treatments.
Finally, do not wait days or weeks to seek medical care. Your injuries could worsen if you wait too long. Additionally, the longer you wait to seek medical care, the harder it can be to prove that your injuries were the result of the slip-and-fall accident. Contact a slip-and-fall lawyer today!
Document The Incident
Documentation is key in any successful legal case. Documentation consists of collecting any evidence that proves your slip-and-fall was because of the property owner’s negligence. Typically, documenting your accident will consist of the following:
- Taking photographs of where your fall happened
- Identify and obtain surveillance cameras that may have captured your accident. If you believe footage exists, ask the property owner for a copy.
- Take down the statement of any witnesses who saw your fall happen
- File an accident report with both the business owner and the police. Filing a report allows you to establish a paper trail of what happened to further prove your case if you decide to take legal action.
- Contact an experienced premises liability attorney who can help you better understand your rights and legal options
Immediately following your accident, do not post any information about your slip-and-fall or injuries online. Anything you post on social media could be used to disprove your case. Additionally, any public comments made about your postings could be used to discredit your personal injury claim.
Common Places Slip-And-Falls Happen
The most common slip-and-fall cases happen in public spaces with wet surfaces. A property owner’s failure to maintain their property or clearly label a hazard can contribute to serious injuries resulting in mounting hospital bills, lost work, and other losses.
While slip-and-fall accidents can happen anywhere, some of the more common places these accidents occur include the following:
- Grocery stores: Hazards can include slippery floors, obstructive shelving, and hazardous walkways
- Gas stations: Potholes, broken steps, oil and gas spills, displays in the aisles, and poor lighting are common hazards
- Restaurants: Beverage and food spills are one of the most common types of causes for slips in this environment
- Swimming pools: Hazards can include broken stairs and rails, slippery floors, and missing signage
- Theaters: Dim or no lighting, broken steps and railings, and slippery floors can cause an injury here
- Parking lots: Snow and ice that is not cleared, potholes, dim lighting, and broken concrete/sidewalks make parking lots common places for slip-and-fall accidents
Common Slip-And-Fall Injuries
Certain types of injuries are more common than others after a slip-and-fall accident. The type of injury sustained will largely depend on how a victim falls. Trips and slips that cause someone to fall backward tend to be more serious than accidents where a victim falls forward.
The age of the victim can also determine the severity of the injuries from the fall. Older individuals are more likely to experience severe injuries because they are unable to react or break their fall in a manner that minimizes injury.
The National Floor Safety Institute reports that falls are the second leading cause of injury-related death for people aged 65-84 years and are the leading cause of injury-related death for people aged 85 years or older. Common injuries from a slip-and-fall include:
Head Injuries
Concussions and injury to the head or face, broken teeth, a dislocated nose, and lacerations are some of the most serious and common types of injuries that can result from a head injury after a slip-and-fall accident.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Along with head injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can result from a slip-and-fall, although this is exceedingly rare. A TBI is when the brain experiences severe trauma from a blow, lack of oxygen to the brain, or from an object impaling the brain.
Neck And Spine Injuries
Damaging the vertebrae along the neck and spine causes injuries ranging from mild nerve discomfort to a more severe injury that causes paralysis. Where the injury has happened along the neck or spine will determine the type and severity of the injury that follows.
Knee Injuries
Falling awkwardly can cause a knee injury, ranging from mild sprains and bruises to more severe fractures. Common types of knee injuries can include abrasions and injuries to the ligaments surrounding the knee, including a torn meniscus or ACL.
Soft Tissue Injuries And Cuts/Bruises
Soft tissue injuries, such as bruising, abrasions, and even minor cuts, are common with slip-and-fall accidents. Fortunately, they tend to be the least severe and can be remedied relatively quickly with proper medical care.
Dislocated Shoulder
These types of injuries typically result in a victim falling on their side. This could be from putting pressure on a railing that gives out or a trip that results in their full body weight crushing against their shoulder. Common injuries with this type of fall can include a dislocated shoulder, a broken collarbone, and even fractured or broken ribs.
Broken Bones
Individuals who have a vitamin D deficiency or suffer from osteoporosis also have a higher chance of suffering from broken bones after a fall.
Hip Fractures
One of the most common types of injuries amongst the elderly is a hip fracture. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 95% of hip fractures result from a fall.
Chronic Pain
Unfortunately, a number of slip-and-fall accidents that cause moderate to severe injury will also result in chronic pain. Chronic pain can span anywhere from months to years to an individual’s entire lifetime. Along with the physical discomfort, victims will often require medical support to manage their chronic pain.
How Can A Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me?
Slip-and-fall accidents go beyond just a simple injury that causes temporary pain or discomfort. Even if you recover fully from your slip-and-fall accident, you are still entitled to compensation if your fall was caused by someone else’s negligence.
A personal injury lawyer can help you build a successful case by doing the following:
- Ensure your fall is reported to the right agencies, including the property owner, the local police department, insurance companies, and other relevant entities
- Collect evidence that helps prove your case. This includes the photos, surveillance footage, witness statements, hospital bills, and other documentation.
- Speak with involved parties and file appropriate documentation in a timely manner
- Determine your damages and the type and amount of compensation you are entitled to
- Negotiate a fair settlement with the negligent parties
- Represent you during the trial if your case goes to court
If You Have Been Injured In A Slip-And-Fall Accident, Call Sette Law Now
If you have been the victim of a slip-and-fall accident, it’s important to understand your legal rights and options. At Sette Law, our team of experienced attorneys, paralegals, and investigators will work diligently to protect your rights.
Sette Law is proud to be Sacramento’s premier personal injury lawyer. Schedule your free case evaluation today at 916-442-0000.