Around one million people visit the emergency room due to slip and fall accidents. You might think that slip and fall accidents cause minor injuries and can be treated at a low cost. But don’t forget, this is the US. Nothing is cheap in the US. Even an inhaler costs around $300. Proper medical care for the working class remains a dream for the US.
On average, it takes $30,000 to $40,000 to treat slip and fall injuries. Now, if your slip and fall accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, it is unfair for you to pay out of your pocket for treatment. The person who caused the accident should pay. You can make them pay by filing a personal injury claim.
One of the immediate actions you must take after a slip and fall accident is to speak with a lawyer. A lawyer can help calculate your losses, negotiate with the insurance company, and obtain just compensation for your losses.
Injuries that Slip and Fall Victims May Sustain
Slip and fall accidents don’t just cause minor injuries. Sometimes, it can cause life-altering injuries. Following are some of the injuries that a slip and fall accident can cause:
- Broken Bones
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Neck Injuries
- Cuts, bruises, and Shoulder Dislocations
Broken Bones
Broken bones are the most common type of injury a slip and fall accident can cause. Fractures on the hands, hips, and legs are pretty common in slip and fall accidents. Around 300,000 people are admitted to hospitals every year for hip fractures caused by slip and fall accidents. Broken bones can heal over time with the help of a doctor. But rest is needed.
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries are a bit more severe than broken bones. Sometimes spinal cord injuries can cause permanent disability. Also, spinal cord injuries may not show any symptoms for a long time, which is why consulting a doctor is important. Even if you feel fine, get checked out by a doctor to be on the safe side.
Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be caused by severe blows to the head. Usually, TBI is pretty common in sports. TBI can occur in slip and fall accidents if you hit your head while falling. It can significantly affect your quality of life in severe cases. You might need help with daily tasks, which you were able to do without any help before the accident.
Neck Injuries
Neck injuries are minor when compared to TBI injuries, but they can still have a significant impact. Neck injuries can keep you away from work. Continued treatment and rest are very important to completely heal from neck injuries. You will sustain lost wages along with medical bills.
Cuts, Bruises, and Shoulder Dislocation
Minor injuries like cuts and bruises are pretty common, depending on the surface on which you fall. Cuts and bruises can be easily treated with a bit of help from a doctor. On the other hand, shoulder dislocations can have a significant impact. It will take some time to heal fully. It will also affect your work and other daily tasks.
Wrapping Up
Slip and fall accidents can cause major injuries to the victim. Consult a doctor immediately after a slip and fall accident. You can understand the full extent of your injuries by speaking with them. Also, they can give you an idea of when you will be fully healed. If you know this information, you can make the lawyer’s work a bit easier. They can easily calculate your losses and demand that as compensation. So, speak with a doctor, hire a lawyer, and rest. It is the best way to obtain fair compensation.
