In many cases, it is never “just a fall.” These accidents have the potential to transform your life in both the short and long term. Some slip-and-fall accident victims never fully recover from their injuries. If you have been hurt in a slip-and-fall accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation but only if you can prove that someone else was to blame. Reach out to the experienced Philadelphia slip and fall lawyers at Gibbons & Crichton, Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers to learn more about pursuing a claim or lawsuit.
Overview of Common Slip-and-Fall Injuries
There are two potential ways that you can be hurt when you fall. Sudden and unnatural motion can cause sprains and soft tissue injuries that can take a considerable amount of time to heal.
More danger results from your body hitting the ground or other hard objects. You can suffer fractures and brain injuries from this type of trauma. In many cases, slip-and-fall victims suffer multiple injuries that have lingering effects.
Preventive Measures To Avoid Long-Term Effects
Although you often cannot control the severity of the long-term effects of an accident, there are measures you can take to facilitate a recovery to the fullest extent possible. What you do in the days and months after a slip-and-fall accident can determine whether you can recover.
The most important preventative measure you can take is to receive all the medical care that you need, both now and in the future. Your doctor may recommend physical or occupational therapy to help you rehabilitate, and you must stick with your rehabilitation and attend all appointments.
Not only is your diligence important for a full recovery, but it may also keep the insurance company from claiming that you failed to mitigate your damages. You have your obligation to take preventative measures to aid your health, and you could be penalized in a slip-and-fall accident settlement if you do not take them.
Immediate vs. Long-Term Effects of Slip-and-Fall Injuries
In the short term, you may suffer such injuries as a fracture, concussion, or injury to your neck or back. Back injuries, in particular, can linger and impact the quality of your life. In some cases, you may need one or more surgical procedures to repair the damage.
In the long run, slip-and-fall accidents can lead to brain and spinal cord injuries. Concussions or brain damage can have serious side effects for an extended amount of time. Spinal cord injury may result in loss of mobility, either partially or entirely.
Long-term slip-and-fall injuries can keep you from living your life as you did before the accident.
You may not be able to work or enjoy the hobbies you did before your fall. The results of a fall can last the rest of your life.
The Financial Burdens of Your Slip-and-Fall Accident
Slip-and-fall accident injuries can place you under an immense financial strain. If you need long-term medical care, you may have to pay some amount out of pocket, even if you have health insurance. At the same time, you may not be able to fully work, especially if you perform physical labor.
The financial impacts of your slip-and-fall injury may not dissipate over time, especially if you do not fully recover. You must receive enough money in a settlement agreement to support you over the long term. You need to understand how you may be affected in the future, both physically and financially, so you can seek enough money now.
Legal Options for Long-Term Injury Victims
You only get one chance to seek compensation for a slip-and-fall injury. You can file a claim or lawsuit against the responsible party and hold them liable for their negligence. If you can prove they were at fault for your accident, you have a legal right to receive full compensation from them.
The only way to know how much money you are due is to hire an experienced slip-and-fall accident lawyer. On your own, you may have no idea of concepts like how pain and suffering are valued and what damages you may be entitled to for future harm. Insurance companies may take full advantage of it when they make you a paltry settlement offer they expect you to accept.
When you hire a dedicated lawyer for your case, they will protect your interests and protect you from taking less than you deserve.
Contact an Experienced Philadelphia Slip-and-Fall Lawyer
To get the best result in a slip-and-fall claim, you need an experienced attorney immediately.
The Gibbons & Crichton, Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers have a track record of delivering for our clients in tough cases. Schedule a free initial consultation with a lawyer by sending us a message through a website or by calling us today at 215-274-0173.