12/10/2018 3:40 pmWhile slips, trips, and falls are often parodied in slapstick comedy, they can cause some serious personal injury.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of five falls results in broken bones or serious head injury. Over 800,000 people are hospitalized each year because of injuries that result from a fall. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury, and they are among the most expensive causes of injury. In 2015 alone, falls resulted in medical costs exceeding $50 billion.
People who fall due to another’s negligence may be left with high medical bills to pay and financial fallout from being out of work. There could be long-term consequences of falling, some of which – like the long-term effects of a head injury – might not be evident at the time of the fall.
Experienced New Orleans personal injuries lawyers will know how to help you recover what you should take care of your costs and injuries, but it is a good idea to follow a few steps after a fall to help your case.
Never delay seeing a doctor after a fall. Some people have obvious injuries – like bruises and even sprains and broken bones – but other injuries do not reveal themselves right away. Do not assume that just because you feel fine immediately following a fall that you are, indeed, fine. It is important that a medical professional assess your condition and document any injuries.
Take a good look around the area where you fell. Was the floor slippery? Was there adequate lighting? Were aisles narrow or crowded? Were there cracks in the pavement or did flooring appear uneven? What in the immediate area of where you fell might have contributed to your fall? Try to take notes so you don’t forget – some people find it convenient to dictate a message or note into their phone – and take pictures.
If you fall in a store or public building where there are employees present, ask to fill out an incident report with management. However, do not take management up on any offers to settle the situation. Simply be courteous and ask for assistance in reporting the fall.
There may have been people who stopped to help you or who were nearby when you fell. If there are witnesses around you, ask for their contact information.
The owner of the property where you fell might try to contact you directly. Their insurance company representative might also try to contact you to get you to settle with them. It is advisable to consult with New Orleans personal injury lawyers before speaking to anyone other than a medical professional about your fall.
Anytime you go through a traumatic event – like a fall that results in injuries – you are going to feel overwhelmed. There is a lot to take care of following an accident and it is sometimes hard to know who to turn to or what to do first. Having an advocate by your side from the start will help make your case for recovery run smoother. Contact a personal injury attorney as soon as you can after your fall.
