After You’ve Suffered a Slip & Fall Accident

Monday, February 28, 2022

After You’ve Suffered a Slip & Fall Accident

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident?

You may feel perfectly fine after a slip and fall accident—for a short while, anyway. It’s after your body begins to recover from what has happened that it will often let you know that something is not right. A few aches and pains and simple bruises are to be expected but learn to watch out for other, more dangerous physical ailments that may be a result of your accident. If your slip and fall was due to improperly marked wet floors or other negligence, you should also consult a slip and fall attorney at the earliest opportunity, particularly if you are experiencing a few of the symptoms.

Steps to Take Following a Slip and Fall 

1. Call 9-1-1  

Officials advise victims to call 9-1-1 after an accident whether there are clear injuries or not. You are likely not an expert regarding accidents and injuries, but the emergency dispatcher is. Let them decide whether you need a first responder or not. 

Again, many injuries are not obvious immediately following a slip and fall accident. Soft tissue injuries are perfect examples of injuries that people tend to underestimate frequently. After falling, you might feel sore but might not realize this is a sign of a serious sprain that will worsen over time without treatment. Follow medical advice even if it is inconvenient or seems like “overkill.” Plus, if you have a legal case on your hands, following medical advice is crucial.

2. Medical Treatment  

You might be tempted to tough it out and wait for your injury to heal on its own without the help of medical professionals, but this can be a huge mistake. If your injury does not get better, it can hurt your claim that you waited to seek medical help. 

A prompt diagnosis not only ensures that you can start treatment right away but also serves as proof that your injuries resulted from the slip and fall in question. If you do not have this documentation, it can hurt your ability to recover financially for your injuries and losses. 

It is crucial to keep up with all treatment that doctors prescribe for you (getting x-rays, taking your prescription, coming in for check-ups, etc) and don’t do anything to the injury without consulting your doctor first (including holistic remedies).

3. Keep Careful Records  

An increasing number of slip and fall accidents are caught on security cameras, but most are not. Calling 9-1-1 and reporting the accident to the business or property owner establishes some kind of timeline for your accident. Take videos and photos of everything that seems important (the location, your injuries, eye-witnesses). It can help to write down or record details of what happened in case your memory of those details fades while your case is pending.

Documenting everything is key, especially since the hazard will likely be addressed shortly after your accident. The property owner or business will want to clean up whatever caused your fall to prevent others from suffering the same fate. This means that the photos and notes you take following the accident can serve as proof that a hazard existed and caused your slip and fall. 

4. Call a Personal Injury Lawyer 

First and foremost, it never hurts to get as many expert opinions as possible, especially when it comes to your health or financial well-being. Insurance companies are already experts in dealing with these types of situations and know that too often, someone will accept a first super low offer. A lawyer can help you not be that person who ends up with much less than you deserve. 

Even if your physical injuries seem minor, the effects of an injury can be wide-ranging, and your losses can add up quickly. The bottom line is that you have nothing to lose by contacting a personal injury attorney and getting free legal advice about your legal options.

What Are the Slip and Fall Symptoms?

1. Head Injury

People who slip on something, then fall and hit their heads do not always feel any symptoms beyond pain at first. The symptoms of even a so-called mild traumatic brain injury (or concussion) can appear within hours, however, so be on the lookout for them. These symptoms include:

• Dizziness and loss of balance. If you, or the injured person, suddenly has trouble walking or keeping balance after a fall, pay attention.
• Sudden and intense headache. It’s natural for your head to hurt for a short time after hitting it, but if this pain increases suddenly, and is very intense, it’s time to get to a doctor.
• Listlessness. This is when you, or the injured person, does not feel like moving, or talking, or doing anything at all. This can be a sign of a concussion.
• Nausea. Feeling sick to your stomach or throwing up after a fall can be a sign of brain injury, and should be taken seriously.

It’s a good practice to get checked out by a doctor or emergency services after any head injury, or hard thumping on the head. Contact a Chicago accident lawyer while the incident is still fresh so that they can act in your interest while you recover.

2. Back and Neck Pain

A slip and fall can cause more than head injuries. If you are experiencing back or neck pain after a slip and fall, you may have injured a disc or caused damage to some other part of your body. Don’t put off a date with a doctor in cases such as these, particularly if you are an older person. Damage that may not seem to be much at first, can progress into major problems if left untreated.

3. Leg Pain and Sprains

Ankle and leg sprain, and even breaks, are common after a slip and fall — and are not always immediately apparent. Even minor sprains can curtail your work and other activities, though, so don’t put off getting help. Get in touch with your doctor or other medical professionals, and be sure to consult an Illinois slip and fall lawyer.

Contact Malman Law After Your Slip and Fall Accident

When it comes to taking care of yourself and your family, even minor slip and fall injuries can cause a lot of personal damage. Loss of work and income, among other things. Get your slip and fall attorney involved right away. If someone is at fault, they can help you get the compensation you need to take care of yourself and your family while you recover from your injury.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a slip and fall, contact the attorneys at Malman Law and schedule a free initial consultation, today.