Slips, trips, and falls can be serious and even life-threatening events. It’s essential to seek prompt medical attention after a fall to ensure any injuries are properly evaluated and treated. Those injuries can vary, as can the medical care necessary.
No matter what type of injury you have or care you need, acting quickly, documenting everything, and filing the appropriate reports will end up helping you in the long run. If your fall occurred while working or was due to someone else’s negligence, you’ll want to follow proper procedures to present a strong claim when the time comes.
Slips, trips, and falls are often physically, emotionally, and financially draining. Hiring an experienced lawyer will help relieve some of the stress and aid in pursuing just compensation for your losses. Call Klein Lawyers at (604) 874-7171 today to schedule a FREE case evaluation.
Common Injuries After Slips, Trips, and Falls
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) reports “that the majority (67%) of falls happen on the same level resulting from slips and trips.” Even a fall on the same level can cause serious injuries. We cannot stress the importance of seeking medical attention enough. If you have been severely injured—call an ambulance.
Even if you don’t feel any pain or discomfort immediately after a fall, you should still see a healthcare professional as soon as possible for an evaluation. Some injuries may not become apparent until hours or days later.
Common injuries resulting from a fall include:
Head Injuries
A fall can cause a head injury, such as a concussion or a traumatic brain injury. These injuries can be severe and require immediate medical attention. Even if you feel fine, you must see a medical practitioner as soon as possible if you’ve hit your head.
Fractures
Many falls result in fractures, such as a broken wrist, hip, or ankle. These injuries can be painful and require medical treatment, including immobilization of the affected limb.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Falls can also cause soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and contusions. These injuries can be painful and may require rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE).
Joint Damage
A fall can wreak havoc on your body as you twist and struggle to catch yourself. Another common set of injuries is torn ligaments and dislocations of knees, shoulders, ankles, etc. These injuries may require RICE therapy, repositioning, traction, or even surgery.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Slips, trips, and falls can cause spinal cord injuries, which may result in paralysis or other long-term disabilities. These require immediate medical attention and ongoing treatment and rehabilitation.
Again, after slips, trips, and falls, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. The severity of your injuries will often be the determining factor in what type of medical care you seek.
Read More: Can I Claim Compensation for a Trip and Fall?
Common Types of Medical Care After Slips, Trips, and Falls
Your health is your priority. If you’ve been injured due to a slip, trip, or fall, getting medical care is vital. Remember, even if you don’t have an urgent need for medical assistance, you should still see a medical practitioner at your earliest opportunity. Many slips, trips, and falls cause injuries that may not be immediately apparent.
Some of the common types of medical care that may be necessary after a fall are:
Emergency Care
If a fall results in a severe injury or a person is unable to get up or move, it’s crucial to call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room right away. Examples of severe injuries include head trauma, broken bones, and spinal cord injuries.
In the emergency room, a team of medical professionals will evaluate a patient’s injuries, perform diagnostic tests, and provide immediate treatment. Treatment may include prescribing medication for pain management, immobilization of affected limbs, surgery, or life-saving measures.
Urgent Care
For falls resulting in a moderate injury, such as a sprained ankle or a cut that requires stitches, urgent care may be a suitable option. Urgent care clinics often have shorter wait times than emergency rooms; however, they have fewer resources if your injury turns out to be more complex.
Urgent care providers may evaluate a patient’s injuries, perform limited diagnostic tests, and provide treatment. This may include prescribing medication for pain management, immobilization of affected limbs, or stitches for cuts.
Primary Care
If the injuries from the fall seem minor or the person does not require immediate medical attention, they may be able to schedule an appointment to see their primary care provider. A general practitioner can evaluate the patient’s injuries, provide treatment, and refer them to a specialist if necessary.
Treatment may include medication for pain management or RICE. The primary care provider may also recommend physical therapy or other types of rehabilitation to help the patient regain their strength and mobility.
Rehabilitation
After a fall, rehabilitation may be necessary to help the patient regain strength, mobility, and independence. Rehabilitation may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech therapy, depending on the patient’s specific needs.
Physical therapy focuses on improving the patient’s strength, flexibility, and balance. It may include exercises to improve range of motion, strength training, and balance training.
Occupational therapy focuses on helping the patient perform everyday tasks, such as getting dressed, cooking, and bathing. It may include exercises to improve fine motor skills and cognitive function.
Speech therapy focuses on improving the patient’s ability to communicate and swallow. It may be necessary after a traumatic brain injury.
Read More: Damages in Trip and Fall Cases
What To Do After Slips, Trips, and Falls
If a fall was caused by someone else’s negligence, such as a property owner or manager, or if it occurred while at work, there are certain steps you must take to help your claim for compensation.
1. Get Medical Care
No matter the form, take care of your health first and foremost. Additionally, to prove your injuries and losses, you will need documentation from a medical provider.
2. Report the Fall
Depending on the nature of the accident, you may need to file a report or notify an employer, insurance company, the police, etc. A capable lawyer can advise you specifically. As some entities will have time requirements, it is important to act as swiftly as you can.
3. Collect Evidence
Gathering evidence is essential to your pursuit of compensation for your injuries. This means documenting all medical care, keeping bills and receipts, speaking with witnesses, and more.
4. Hire an Experienced Slip, Trip, and Fall Lawyer
It is in your best interest to seek legal representation from a lawyer with experience handling slips, trips, and falls in British Columbia. While you are healing from your injuries, your lawyer can handle the ins and outs of your slip, trip, and fall claim. They will make sure that deadlines are met, negotiate on your behalf, guide you through the legal process, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Contact Klein Lawyers Today!
Slips, trips, and falls can lead to both minor and devastating injuries. No matter the severity of your injury, you deserve compensation for your losses if the accident is due to someone else’s negligence (or if it happened at work).
Contact Klein Lawyers for a FREE case evaluation if you’ve been injured in a slip, trip, and fall accident. We have experience handling these types of cases and a passion for helping injured victims throughout Vancouver and British Columbia find just compensation.
