You should see a doctor as soon as possible after a slip-and-fall accident in Southern California, and in every case, no less than 72 hours after you sustain injuries in a fall. Even if you believe that your injuries are not severe, you should have a medical examination regardless of co-pays, deductibles, and the cost of diagnostic tests.
Similarly, you should consult with a Los Angeles slip and fall accident lawyer at Salamati Law promptly after your accident. We will help you focus on recovering from your injuries without fear of financial ruin by pursuing the negligent parties who caused your accident to recover compensation for your medical costs and expenses.
Why Is It Important to See a Doctor After a Slip and Fall Accident?
A medical exam after a Southern California slip and fall accident will establish the critical elements of your claim in a personal injury lawsuit:
- The exam will show the extent of your injuries in the immediate aftermath of the accident. If you delay the exam, the negligent party could argue that other events between the date of the accident and your medical consultation caused your injuries. An immediate medical exam establishes an objective record of your slip and fall injuries.
- The fact that you promptly saw a doctor demonstrates that you took the accident seriously from the outset.
- Insurance companies that cover accidents that occurred on a negligent party’s property will not pay any reimbursements without medical proof of injuries. Moreover, their payments will be a direct function of the medical diagnosis you receive from treating physicians and therapists.
- An injury that initially seems minor or insignificant can worsen if not addressed quickly. This is true for soft tissue injuries and bone fractures. Further, a head injury that leads to a concussion or traumatic brain injury can be fatal if not treated correctly and promptly.
- A prompt medical exam will form the basis of a treatment plan, which can then be used as a basis for recovering damages for future medical therapy.
If you cannot schedule an appointment with your personal physician, go to an emergency room or a walk-in clinic. Then, contact a Los Angeles slip and fall accident attorney to begin the process of filing your claims to recover your medical costs, expenses, and other damages that you incurred due to someone else’s negligence.
How Important are Medical Records in a Slip and Fall Lawsuit?
To recover damages in your slip and fall lawsuit, the evidence in your case needs to show that:
- You had a valid and legitimate reason to be on the property, and the property owner or manager had a duty to keep that property safe or to warn you about hazards that could cause injuries.
- The property owner failed to abide by that duty to keep the property safe.
- You had a slip and fall accident as a direct and proximate result of that failure.
- You suffered injuries in the accident, which caused you to incur financial losses and other damages.
The medical records of treatments you received after your accident are crucial. They prove that the injuries were due to a property owner’s negligence. Without them, the property owner and their insurance company will argue that you were not hurt and deny all financial compensation.
What Evidence in Addition to Your Medical Records Will Support Your Case?
Your California slip and fall accident lawyer will use all available evidence to support your claim for damages, including:
- Photos of the injuries and the scene where the accident occurred, particularly the hazards or unsafe conditions that caused the accident.
- Statements of bystanders and eyewitnesses whose contact information you were able to obtain.
- Records of your medical appointments and follow-ups will verify that you kept all of your appointments without missing any of them.
- A journal and other records you maintain (e.g., your recent pay stubs, W2, and 1099 forms) to document the workdays you missed and the salary and wages you did not receive.
Further, testimony from doctors and expert witnesses about the nature and extent of your injuries and their impact on your life will help support your case.
Should You Give Your Medical Records Directly to An Insurance Company?
The insurers liable to reimburse your expenses and losses will ultimately see your medical records. However, avoid having direct contact or giving a recorded statement to an insurance company without legal representation.
Insurers hire hundreds of lawyers and claims adjusters who have substantial experience in minimizing the amount that the company will pay. When you hire a skilled Los Angeles personal injury lawyer to represent your interests, they will ensure that claims adjusters do not use your statements and evidence against you. Your lawyer will also fight to recover the largest available damages settlement or jury award for your slip and fall injuries.
Call Salamati Law for a Free Consultation
After you seek medical attention, your next order of business should be to call an attorney at Salamati Law for a free assessment of your right to recover damages for your injuries. If you are not 100% sure what contributed to the accident or if you suspect there was a hazard the property owner should have known about, we will investigate what happened. Our experienced team will collect evidence by subpoenaing documents, interviewing witnesses, taking depositions, and acquiring experts to testify on your behalf.
If you are worried about how you will cover doctor co-pays and deductibles while your case is pending, we can work to get a letter of promise or negotiate with medical billing offices to minimize financial hassles. Contact a slip and fall attorney at Salamati Law for free and confidential legal advice.
