Dealing With the Aftermath of A Slip and Fall Injury

In the aftermath of a slip and fall injury, you should follow all of your doctor’s instructions when it comes to work and activity restrictions, while taking advantage of any diagnostic and treatment options available. If not taken care of properly and allowed adequate time to heal, your injury could develop into a chronic condition that results in permanent loss of mobility. Treatments for slip and fall injuries include the following:

For muscle, tendon, and ligament sprains, strains, and tears: Known as soft tissue injuries, these types of injuries often require lengthy recuperation times to avoid re-injuring the affected site. According to Medline Plus, sprains involve stretched or torn ligaments, and you may feel the ligament pop or stretch when the injury occurs, while swelling, bruising, and pain often results.  Strains occur when the muscles or tendons are torn or twisted. These typically result in swelling, pain, and muscle spasms. All of these types of injuries impair movement, and often require physical therapy in order to heal completely.

For broken bones and fractures:  According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the most common types of bone fractures include the following:

• Stable fractures, where the bone is broken but the pieces align together;
• Transverse fractures, where the bone breaks in a horizontal line;
• Oblique fractures, where the bone breaks at an angle;
• Comminuted fractures, in which the bone is shattered into several pieces.

While some fractures require the use of a splint or cast to align the bone so that it will heal properly, more severe breaks may require the use of metal pins, plates, or bone grafts to reconstruct the bone and hold it together. It is important for the bone to heal properly and in alignment to prevent lasting impairments and the need for further procedures.

For spinal injuries: The spine is made up of 26 bone discs, or vertebrae, and damage to any one of these discs or the surrounding tissues can have serious ramifications. The Medline Plus guide to spinal injuries advises that any injuries in this area could result in severe pain, limited mobility, and permanent impairments. Diagnostic testing includes Computed Tomography (CT) scans and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), while treatment options may include the use of back braces, epidural pain medications, and alternative treatment, such as chiropractic care, while more severe injuries may require back surgery in order to repair the damage.  

For head injuries: Head injuries are among the most common type of injury in slip and fall accidents, and can have serious and potentially life threatening consequences. According to the Brain Injury Association, any type of bump, blow, or jolt to the head can cause disruptions in how the brain functions, impacting thought, speech, movement, and body regulatory functions. Unfortunately, unlike other common types of injuries, people with head and brain injuries may not even be aware there is a problem, making it important for friends and family members to be alert for any telltale symptoms. These include:

• Nausea and vomiting,
• Memory loss;
• Speech impairment;
• Difficulties in movements;
• Marked personality changes, such as flying into fits of rage or extreme depression.

If a brain injury is suspected, you should seek medical attention immediately and follow all doctor instructions. Treatment options vary depending on the severity, and include close monitoring of symptoms, medications to relieve swelling, rehabilitative therapy, and in severe cases, surgery to relieve cranial pressure.

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Steps to Take After A Slip and Fall Injury

Once you have notified the property owner or manager, you should make sure that an incident report is filed. Get the names of the person you reported your accident to, as well as the names of any witnesses at the scene. Get medical attention at your local hospital emergency room or from your family physician, and be sure to inform your doctor that your injuries occurred as the result of a slip and fall. Report any symptoms you experience, both immediately after the accident as well as those that occur in the days or weeks that follow.

Depending on where your injury occurred, you may be contacted by an insurance company looking to settle your claim. When dealing with these companies, it is important to realize that they have a financial motive in denying your claim, or attempting to settle it for far less than what you may actually deserve. Before making any statements that could be used against you or accepting any offers made, consult with our experienced slip and fall lawyer first. Once you have signed insurance company documents or accepted a settlement offer, you will be forfeiting any future rights to compensation.

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Compensation for Slip and Fall Injuries

In cases where the at fault party is uninsured, or if the insurance company denies or disputes your claim, you may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit for the damages you have suffered, as well as for any future losses you are likely to incur. Under Section 1714 of the California Civil Code, property owners and managers can be held legally liable for damages that result not only from willful acts that cause injuries to others, but also from failing to protect or warn visitors and guests of potentially dangerous conditions that exist on their property. Through a personal injury lawsuit, you may be entitled to claim the following types of compensation:

• Medical expenses, both for your current medical treatment, as well as for any physical rehabilitation or future costs you may incur;
• Lost wages, and future losses in income or benefits if you are unable to work as the result of your injuries;
• Pain, suffering, and mental anguish that arise from your injuries or in the aftermath of your accident;
• Loss of companionship, which is compensation for your spouse to make up for activities which you can no longer engage in;
• Punitive damages, which is a dollar amount meant to punish the at fault party for conduct that was particularly wanton or reckless.

At Fisher & Talwar, we thoroughly investigate your case to determine the total amount of compensation you may be entitled to claim. This include getting statements from your doctor regarding your prognosis for recovery and any future treatments that may be required, discussing with you the impact your injuries have had on your personal life and family relations, and looking at the type of work you do, and how your injury could impact your ability to perform at your job, both now and in the years to come.Depending on where your injury occurred, you may be contacted by an insurance company looking to settle your claim. When dealing with these companies, it is important to realize that they have a financial motive in denying your claim, or attempting to settle it for far less than what you may actually deserve. Before making any statements that could be used against you or accepting any offers made, consult with our experienced slip and fall lawyer first. Once you have signed insurance company documents or accepted a settlement offer, you will be forfeiting any future rights to compensation.

Contact Us Today for Professional Representation

If you have been injured as the result of a slip, trip, or fall, contact the law offices of Fisher & Talwar right away. Our Long Beach slip and fall attorneys act as a strong legal advocate on your behalf when injuries occur, assisting you in getting the compensation you need to recover. Reach out to us today and let us begin working on your case immediately.

From CA-110 southbound take exit towards 6th St/Wilshire Blvd. Continue on 6th St, turn right on S Grand Ave., arrive at 801 S Grand.From CA 110 northbound take the 6th St/9th St exit toward Downtown/ Convention Center/ Figueroa St. Merge onto W 9th St and follow until turning left on S Olive St. Turn left on W 8th St, then left again on S Grand Ave.

Our offices are located 9 minutes from Dodger Stadium, 3 minutes from Staples Center, 3 minutes from LA Live, 5 minutes from Los Angeles City Hall, 3 minutes from Walt Disney Concert Hall, 7 minutes from Union Station, 25 minutes from San Fernando Valley and 20 minutes from San Gabriel Valley.

From Union Station take either Metro Red or Purple line. Go past Civic Center and Pershing Square; get off at 7th Street/Metro Center. Head south on Flower St, or Hope St (depending on which side you come out). Turn left on 8th St.

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We offer free parking to our clients. Park in the structure at 801 South Grand Avenue and ask us to validate your parking.

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