MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota. Slip and fall injuries can happen almost anywhere. They can happen at work, while shopping, and they can even happen at school or in nursing homes. Slip and fall injuries can sometimes be very serious. Individuals can suffer broken bones, traumatic brain injury, internal injuries, back injuries, and neck injuries. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a slip and fall accident, consider speaking to the personal injury lawyers in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Law Office of Martin T. Montilino.
There may be much you are thinking about after an accident—from worrying about medical bills to thinking about when you can return to work to support your family. If you’ve been in this kind of accident, when should you visit the doctor? Individuals who have been in a slip and fall accident should visit a doctor as soon as possible. Why? Some forms of mild traumatic brain injury may not be apparent right after an accident. If you hit your head when you fell, you may have a traumatic brain injury and not realize it. Some traumatic brain injuries can be deadly without proper treatment. If you have internal bleeding, you may not be physically aware of it until it is too late. Head injury is quite common. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 2.5 million people suffer from this injury each year. Individuals may experience memory problems, insomnia, mood changes, changes to sight, changes to thinking, problems communicating, or personality changes. If you or a loved one is suffering from any of these symptoms after a slip and fall, it is incredibly important to seek proper treatment, both for your own wellbeing and to protect your rights should you need to pursue a personal injury claim in the future.
If you have been hurt in a slip and fall accident, a doctor can properly diagnose you and document your injuries. According to the Law Office of Martin T. Montilino, individuals should never wait days or weeks to see if they will get better. If you later need to pursue a claim with your insurer or seek compensation from a negligent party, gaps in medical care or treatment could imperil your claim. So, even if you feel fine after a slip and fall, it may be wise to go for a checkup right away, and follow your doctor’s instructions.
Finally, establishments, nursing homes, and homeowners should also take steps to prevent slip and falls on their properties. According to Carnegie Mellon University, property owners should take all reasonable measures to clean up spills. Workers should be provided with proper footwear and safety training. Individuals should take the time to note surface conditions and walk with care. Finally, individuals should not run and should use handrails when they are available.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a slip and fall accident, you may have important rights under the law. A personal injury lawyer may be able to help you seek the compensation you may deserve from insurance companies and negligent parties. If you were hurt on the job or in a nursing home, an accident lawyer may be able to pursue all stakeholders and help you seek the maximum possible compensation under the law. If you’re in Illinois and are in need of Chicago slip and fall attorneys, you could reach out to Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. for help with your case.