You should seek treatment from a doctor for your injuries soon after you fall. Falls do happen, but not all falls are the same. What seems minor at first could become a major health issue later.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 600,000 people fall every year worldwide, making falls the second leading cause of accidental or unintentional injury deaths. Some 37 million falls that occur are serious enough to require medical attention, WHO reports.
Three Reasons to Go to the Doctor After a Fall
Having a doctor examine you after a fall helps you either way. If the fall is minor, then you will continue to feel fine and have peace of mind knowing that you are in good shape. If it turns out your fall is more serious, then you took the steps to get the treatment you need so that your injuries can start to heal. Having a medical professional examine you can also help you document your injuries and the treatment for them. This documentation can help you if you decide to pursue a personal injury lawsuit.
Here are three reasons you should go to a doctor after you fall:
Your Injuries May Be More Serious Than You Realize
After your slip and fall accident, you may be able to stand up, walk, and feel fine doing everyday things as you usually do. Over time, however, you might notice later that you increasingly do not feel well. Maybe you cannot sit or bend without back pain or have a constant headache. Maybe you see a bruise or a cut that you did not see before.
Upon going to a doctor, you may learn that your lingering headache turned out to be a concussion. Maybe what you think is a bruise is actually a blood clot. Bruises and blood clots both affect blood vessels, but blood clots affect deeper tissue. They also can block blood flow and oxygen to the tissue if it grows too large.
A doctor will know what to look for after a fall and can monitor you for changes in your condition. You also will receive guidance on what to report if you notice further changes.
You Might Have Injuries You Do Not Know About
Maybe when you fell, you remember that you hit your head or landed on your back, and now it hurts. It is common for falls to injure people in ways in which they might not be aware despite their symptoms.
You might have fractured your wrist, arm, hip, or another part of your body, even if you feel fine. Your fall may have also injured you internally, which requires a medical examination to confirm.
Soft tissue injuries fall into this category. Injuries involving soft tissue are hard to detect because they are not visible on the surface. Johns Hopkins Medicine lists soft-tissue injuries as:
- Bursitis
- Contusions (bruises)
- Sprains
- Strains
- Stress injuries
- Tendonitis
Soft tissue injuries are usually painful as they cause swelling, bruising, and other internal damage, as Johns Hopkins Medicine notes. They also require a specialist who has the knowledge and medical equipment to examine the parts of the body that are affected after a fall and know how to treat it. Your problem possibly progressed past at-home treatments and now requires medical treatment that can adequately address your problem.
Finding injuries that are below the surface early can get you on the path to recovering from them faster.
You Might Be at Risk of Falling Again
If you have fallen before, you could be twice at risk of falling again, according to research the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights. If you fall and do not receive medical help, you risk reinjuring yourself and may even hurt places that were not injured before.
You also may be unsteady on your feet for other reasons not related to your fall. These include taking prescription medications that could affect your gait and balance, such as antidepressants, sedatives, or tranquilizers, according to the CDC. You also increase your chances of falling again if you have lower body weakness, which could happen after an earlier fall, a vitamin deficiency, or vision problems.
Talking with a doctor about any of these conditions can help keep you safe and prevent falls from happening.
Seeing a Doctor Can Help Your Slip and Fall Case
If your slip and fall injury is the cause of another’s negligence, you might be thinking about taking legal action to hold the parties accountable. If so, seeking medical help soon after your fall is recommended.
First, by making sure you see a doctor after your fall, you are taking the steps to have your injuries examined. You will know what your injuries are and what is required to treat them. It also will be documented that you acted early in establishing that you are injured and that you have a professional medical opinion about what those injuries are.
Second, by acting quickly, you can move forward with your lawsuit and have the evidence you need to establish why you are seeking compensation for your injuries. Falls are expensive, and medical bills for treatments, services, and medications can add up quickly. Expenses can also add up in other ways, as you might not be able to return to work during your recovery, which could mean reduced income or earning ability.
Time is critical in slip and fall personal injury cases. The more diligent you are in seeking medical care, the better your chances are for establishing a sound lawsuit. If you delay medical treatment, the defendant could cast doubt about the severity of your injuries or how they happened.
Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC Today for Legal Assistance
Seeing a doctor immediately after a fall is imperative. Waiting to seek medical treatment can prolong your discomfort and possibly worsen your condition. You could also be at risk of falling again.
If you plan to file a lawsuit in your slip and fall accident, delayed treatment could weaken the basis for a personal injury lawsuit. It is better to show that you sought treatment as soon as your accident happened.
If you are interested in exploring your legal options for a slip and fall lawsuit, you can start by connecting with a lawyer. Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help you navigate the legal process for pursuing compensation that could cover your medical treatment costs and other losses you endured after your fall. Call 800-959-1444 today for a free review of your case.
