Hip injuries after a slip and fall accident are among the most serious and painful injuries anyone can suffer. A hip injury has lifelong consequences.
Different kinds of hip injuries can result from a slip and fall accident, some injuries, such as a hip fracture, require surgery. Not only can hip pain after a fall be excruciating, but it can also lead to huge medical bills, extended time off work, and unexpected costs like daycare, transportation services, grocery delivery services, and more.
What to Do If You’ve Suffered a Hip Injury After a Fall
It is vital that you act immediately after suffering a hip injury in a fall. This is true whether you are dealing with a seemingly minor ailment or if you are struggling with a severe fracture. Some of the important steps to take include the following:
Seek medical care
Your health has to be a priority, and ensuring you have the best chance of a full recovery starts with seeing a doctor right away. Any delay can not only worsen your condition but also negatively impact the strength of your personal injury claim.
Document your injuries
If you are well enough to do so, it is a good idea to document the scene where you fell. This includes photographs of the hazard, lists of employees on the scene, and even the contact information for any witnesses.
Do not discuss your case
If you fall and injure yourself at a place of business, you can expect them to make a written report of the incident. While it is good to ask for a report if they fail to make one, you should not provide them with a statement of the facts. In fact, any discussion of your case outside of your attorney’s office could work against you.
Talk to a lawyer
One of the most important steps you can take is to talk with an attorney. You have the right to pursue legal action if your fall resulted from negligence, but pursuing these claims on your own is never easy. Your lawyer can answer your questions and ensure you comply with all legal deadlines along the way.
How Salamati Law Can Help With Your Hip Injury
If you have sustained a hip injury because of a slip and fall accident, you may be wondering if you can recover monetary damages. Every case is unique. Our attorneys based in Southern California will evaluate your case and determine what your slip and fall compensation amount could be. This includes, for example, lost wages, medical bills and expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses.
In representing you, Salamati Law will prove that you fell because of the premise owner’s negligence, and you have experienced pain and suffering because of your hip injury as a result.
Hip injuries after slip and fall accidents can have lifelong impacts. Given the sudden and unpredictable nature of a slip and fall accident, the type and severity of hip injuries will vary. Here are some of the most common types of hip injuries we see caused by slip and fall accidents.
Common Hip Injuries Resulting from Slip and Fall Accidents
Hip pain after a fall can be caused by a variety of hip injuries. Some will need one or more surgeries.
Hip Fractures
A broken hip causes nerve endings in the bone to rub together, which is excruciatingly painful. The injury also can damage surrounding tissue and diminish blood flow.
The hip bears your body weight. Even a hairline fracture from a fall is very painful. An X-ray will reveal the severity of the fracture and enable your doctor to plan surgery and post-operative therapies.
Post-Operative Complications
A broken hip diminishes mobility, causing muscle wasting. When surgery is delayed, it makes recovery more difficult because you are weaker. Older individuals who often have lost muscle mass due to aging are at a heightened risk when surgery is delayed. After surgery, a hip fracture can result in a potentially fatal post-operative complication; for example, a blood clot in the leg can travel to the lungs (a pulmonary embolism).
Osteoporosis Risk
A broken hip puts you at greater risk of developing Osteoporosis, a painful, degenerative bone disease. Osteoporosis makes you more likely to suffer bone fractures, including another hip fracture requiring surgery.
Hip Dislocation
Hip surgery after a slip and fall accident can result in a complication called dislocation when the hip joint doesn’t stay in the hip socket. Dislocation is painful and tends to occur in patients who have arthritis.
Another surgery is required to fix dislocation, subjecting you to more time in the hospital and risking infection and more physical therapy.
Hip Strain
A slip and fall can traumatize the muscles supporting the hip, causing pain known as a hip strain. This can become a chronic problem that limits mobility.
Bursitis
Bursitis is an inflammation of small, fluid-filled sacs near the hip joint that act as cushions. The inflammation makes it painful to walk, climb stairs or lie down on one’s side.
Labral Tear
A painful labral tear can result in hip pain after a fall. The labrum is a lining that cushions the hip socket. Surgery is required to repair a labral tear.
“Snapping Hip” Syndrome
After hip replacement surgery, you may develop a condition called Snapping Hip syndrome. The condition acquired this name because it causes the hip to make a clicking or snapping noise as you walk. This causes pain and can necessitate further surgery to correct it.
Persistent Pain and Dying Bone
Persistent pain after a fall is common after a hip injury. Diminished blood flow causes a condition known as Osteonecrosis, in which the bone dies for lack of sufficient blood. This can be caused by bone loss and diminished blood flow.
The Importance of Prompt Medical Attention After a Fall
Medical research has shown that a hip fracture requires surgery as early as possible to repair the fracture and minimize loss of muscle mass and preserve mobility. Multiple surgeries may be necessary depending on your hip fracture. Each surgery results in large, visible scars.
Promptly addressing your medical needs is crucial, as any delay can worsen your prognosis or extend your recovery time. In some cases, a treatable injury can lead to permanent health consequences if it goes untreated. Not only is seeking emergency care crucial, but your health also depends on following up on the orders of your doctor.
In addition to protecting your health, you can also strengthen your case for financial compensation. Having your injuries addressed in a timely manner can help you avoid allegations that you have failed to mitigate your damages. This can prevent you from having an award in a lawsuit reduced.
Potential Complications from Hip Fractures
Hip fractures are particularly dangerous because of the risk of serious complications. The most common is a post-operative blood clot. It can travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism, which is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
According to the Mayo Clinic, other complications include:
- Loss of muscle mass — leads to a higher risk of future falls and injuries.
- Post-operative pneumonia — may result from hyperglycemia and lower platelet count.
- Bed sores or pressure ulcers — caused by long periods of immobility before, during, and after surgery.
The CDC identifies falls as a leading cause of death and injuries among seniors. Over 13 million people, 65 and older, report falling, with 37 percent needing medical attention.
Seniors Are at Higher Risk of Complications Following a Hip Fracture
Senior citizens are at higher risk of life-threatening complications or permanent disability after a fall that results in a hip fracture. This is due, in part, to the natural aging process, which often causes osteoporosis and arthritis that weakens bones and muscles and makes them more susceptible to injuries. In addition, most hip fractures require surgery to restore mobility.
According to research published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, research indicates that seniors – particularly seniors living alone – face higher mortality rates after hip fractures. The survey was conducted in Norway and examined male and female patients with a fractured hip in the period between 2002 and 2013.
Over 12,000 men and over 22,000 women between the ages of 50 and 79 were studied. The researchers found that the survival rate after eight years was 43 percent for men and 61 percent for women who were living alone. In comparison, the survival rate was 51 percent for men and 67 percent for women when living with a partner.
Surgery for a hip fracture also puts older patients at risk for many post-surgical complications, including infection, blood clots in the lungs or legs, bedsores, urinary tract infections, and pneumonia.
Potential Compensation for a Hip Fracture Caused by a Slip and Fall Accident
Accident victims may be eligible for two types of compensation. Economic damages are expenses easily verified with receipts and invoices. Non-economic damages are soft costs that are more subjective and can consist of pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
The details of your case can affect the amount and include the following:
- Your age and occupation: The older you are, the more likely you will require long-term care and suffer severe injuries. If your injuries prevent you from working or limit your ability to perform your job, this may impact the compensation awarded.
- The cost of medical expenses: Medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and medication costs, may factor into the compensation awarded.
- The severity of your injury: The more severe the injury and its impact on your daily life, the higher your potential compensation may be.
- Experience and skill of your attorney: A slip and fall accident lawyer experienced in handling hip fracture cases can help you maximize your potential compensation. They can calculate the full extent of your damages and won’t accept lowball offers from insurance companies during settlement negotiations.
What is the Average Compensation for a Hip Injury in California
It is natural to wonder what the average settlement for a broken hip in these cases might be. Unfortunately, obtaining these details is often more challenging than it might seem.
Most settlements are negotiated in private, and they typically include some kind of confidentiality agreement. The end result is the vast majority of settlement details never become public. What’s more, there is no single location where public settlement details are combined.
Thankfully, you can learn more about your own case without details regarding average settlements. Our attorneys can evaluate your claim and help you understand what it might be worth.
Building a Strong Slip and Fall Claim for Your Hip Injury
When you have hip injuries from falling, it’s important to document your medical journey. Retain all of your medical records; keep all your forms and imaging records in a single location.
It’s helpful to keep a diary about your recovery. This can be done by recording daily videos on your phone or text messages, writing in a journal, or another method that suits you. Note your hip pain after a fall, and whether you can walk—and how far. Mention the therapies you are undergoing. Get a second medical opinion about your hip injury, and your level of pain.
The Slip & Fall Attorney Los Angeles Trusts
Dealing with a personal injury claim on your own is never easy, especially while recovering from a broken hip. You deserve justice, and you have the right to secure legal counsel who is not afraid to fight for you. When you reach out to Salamati Law in Los Angeles, these records will help your slip and fall attorney build a strong case to recover money damages for you. We are proud of our track record of advocating for the injured. We have helped many people seek justice after a fall and look forward to doing the same for you. If you have questions about your case, our team has answers. Schedule your free consultation today.
