As the CDC reports, one in five falls results in serious head injuries or broken bones. Nevertheless, many people do not seek medical attention after a slip and fall accident in Georgia. Those of us who are Georgia slip-and-fall lawyers know that slip-and-fall injuries can have a catastrophic impact on a person’s livelihood. If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a fall, contact us for a free preliminary consultation with a lawyer who understands what you are going through.
A total of 37 million people suffer from accidents or unintentional falls every year according to data collated by the World Health Organization. 600,000 people fall each year worldwide, making them the second leading cause of death globally.
Your Health Is of Utmost Importance After a Slip and Fall Accident in Georgia:
In the aftermath of a fall, you should focus on your health first. Assuming that you did not sustain serious injuries and that you did not fall too hard can make your injuries even worse. It may also prevent you from recovering damages from the culprit.
You should visit a medical specialist as soon as possible after being involved in a slip and fall accident. You may have sustained a serious injury that takes weeks or even months to manifest. It is much likely that you are putting your long-term health on the line if you fail to seek immediate medical attention. Further, the filing of a personal injury claim often requires medical reports.
You Must Have Proof of Your Injury:
Slip and fall accidents can result in serious injuries and require you to file a personal injury claim to recover damages. However, your claim must be supported by evidence proving that the other party was responsible. This requires evidence proving:
- You suffered injuries and financial costs
- The slip and fall led to your injuries
- The accident was caused by the defendant’s negligence
Medical Records and Documentation Are Essential:
In slip and fall accidents, medical advice from a licensed physician is considered important. Consequently, medical records and documentation prepared by a physician can determine whether or not a claim will succeed.
Typically, the required documentation may include:
- Hospitalization forms
- Daily schedules
- Diagnostic records
- Discharge instructions
- Follow-up cards
- Hospital records
- Prescribed medications
- MRI results
- Summary of procedures
- Treatment plans
- Test results
- X-rays
Be as Swift as Possible:
There is more to proving your injury than just proving that someone failed to prevent you from falling and then saying that you were injured. You must also demonstrate that the fall was the cause of your injury. Typically, the longer you wait to visit a doctor after an injury, the more likely that the insurance adjuster is to claim that there was no fault on the defendant’s part.
Furthermore, the process would be further perplexed in the case where you face another accident before lodging your complaint. Without proof that the initial injury occurred before the subsequent slip and fall accident in Georgia, you cannot prove which accident caused your injuries.
It is vitally important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a slip and fall. If you delay seeking treatment, the defendant might suspect that your injuries are not as severe as they seem.
You Are at Risk of Falling Back:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published a report showing that anyone who has fallen twice is at risk for injury again. If you fall and do not get prompt medical care, you could further injure yourself and even injure areas that were not damaged before.
CDC also suggests that you may have unsteady feet due to factors other than a fall. These may include taking medications, such as antidepressants, sedatives, or tranquilizers, which may affect your ability to adequately stand or walk.
Additionally, you may be at greater risk of falling again if you have weakened muscles in your lower body, such as those acquired after a previous fall or those caused by nutritional deficiencies or vision problems. Speak to a doctor if any of these conditions apply to you so that you can protect yourself from falling.
Contact a Lawyer Today:
Getting to the hospital right away is important after a slip and fall accident. The next thing you need to do is call a slip and fall attorney as soon as possible. Our attorneys are experienced, compassionate, and aggressive in their pursuit of maximum compensation for our clients. For a free initial consultation with injury lawyers, contact us today if you have been injured in a slip and fall accident in Georgia caused by someone else’s negligence.
