According to the Centers for Disease Control, each year over three million people—most of them over the age of 50—suffer fall accident injuries so severe that they require medical attention.
The injuries sustained by slip and fall accidents can, of course, range from minor to traumatic, depending on the conditions of the fall. But these injuries also tend to grow worse with improper care or lack of care. Unfortunately, many victims of falls are unaware of the added damage they can accrue by making poor care choices. As a result, injury recovery is often prolonged and pain is increased. This is why it is extremely important not only to know what to do after a slip and fall accident, but what not to do as well.
Don't Jeopardize Your Recovery after a Slip and Fall by Committing These Common Post-Accident Mistakes
No matter how severe your injury, improper care can make it much worse. To avoid further damage, it is important to know both what to do and what not to do after you’ve fallen. Receiving proper care and medical attention is always a good idea, but if you think you don’t need assistance with your injury, do not fall into the trap of making these common mistakes:
Underestimating the Injury
Slip and fall injuries can vary from minor bumps and pulled muscles to broken bones, torn ligaments and catastrophic internal damage. After a fall you should always seek medical attention to rule out possible fractures or internal injuries—even if you don’t think it is necessary. Otherwise, a missed diagnosis could cause you a lifetime of pain or discomfort.
Refusing to Fill Out an Incident Report
Although you may not think the accident was anyone’s fault or damaging enough to require an incident report, you never know what injuries may have been sustained. Businesses should be able to produce paperwork to record the accident, or a police officer should be notified in cases where the accident wasn’t a result of a particular business. These reports can be used as evidence for injury claims.
Putting Heat on It
The hard impact of a fall will generally produce bruises and bumps that will be extremely sore to the touch. These bruises are a result of broken blood vessels under the skin that pool into the surrounding tissue, causing discoloration, swelling, and pain. Now, although the warmth of a heating pad or a nice warm bath may feel soothing (especially on your sore muscles), the heat can actually cause an increase in blood flow to the broken vessels, causing them to bleed more, longer, and faster. This can result in a small bruise developing into an extremely large and painful hemorrhage.
Filing a Claim Without an Attorney
Insurance companies can be ruthless when it comes to injury settlements, especially if the victim is unaware of his or her rights. Don’t fall into their trap. Contact an experienced injury lawyer as soon as possible after a slip and fall to make sure you get the compensation and treatment you deserve.
Have You Been Injured In A Henderson Slip and Fall Accident?
If you've been injured in a slip and fall you need to speak with an experienced slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Henderson office directly at 702.405.6000 to schedule a free consultation with our slip and fall attorneys.