Delaying medical attention after a slip and fall can pose risks to both your health and your potential legal claim. What may seem like a minor injury at first could turn out to be more serious, such as a concussion. Further, when you delay medical attention after your accident, the property owner’s insurance company may try to minimize or deny your slip and fall injury claim. They could argue that your injury wasn’t serious or wasn’t caused by the accident.
It is wise to consult your doctor or visit an urgent care facility to receive a diagnosis and treatment plan. Injuries from a slip and fall accident can cause long-term or even permanent impairment. A slip and fall lawyer in Los Angeles at Salamati Law protects your right to recover compensation for your losses and damages.
Delayed Symptom Development
Adrenaline coursing through the body after a slip and fall accident can temporarily mask pain, and some injuries can have delayed onset symptoms, including the following:
- Back and neck injuries – Damage to the spine or surrounding muscles may not cause pain until inflammation sets in, often hours or days later. Delayed treatment can worsen mobility issues and make it harder to link the injury directly to the fall.
- Hairline fractures – These small cracks in the bone might not be immediately painful, but can become serious without proper diagnosis. Waiting too long to seek care may lead insurers to argue the fracture was unrelated to the incident.
- Internal injuries – Because the signs of internal damage can be subtle, they’re sometimes mistaken for minor or unrelated issues. Symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, or abdominal pain may not seem serious at first, but without prompt medical attention, these injuries can become life-threatening.
- Neurological damage – Injuries such as concussions or nerve damage may present subtly at first, with symptoms like confusion, numbness, or headaches. Delaying a medical examination makes it more challenging to prove that it stemmed from the fall.
- Soft tissue injuries – Sprains, strains, and tears can take time to show swelling or reduced range of motion. Insurance adjusters may question the severity or cause of the injury if there’s no immediate medical record.
By seeking medical care immediately, you establish a clear connection between the accident and your condition.
How Insurance Companies Can Use Delayed Medical Treatment as Evidence Against You
Insurance companies aim to minimize payouts; that’s their business model. For instance, if you injure your back in a fall but wait two weeks to seek medical attention, insurers may use that delay to question the severity or cause of the injury. Similarly, if you develop a limp from what turns out to be a hairline fracture in your ankle but didn’t see a doctor right away, they may claim your condition wasn’t serious or that it occurred after the slip and fall accident.
In both cases, the lack of immediate medical documentation weakens your ability to prove that the fall directly caused you harm. Seeking prompt care protects your legal claim.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall
Evidence is key to a successful slip and fall claim. Here are the steps to take after a slip and fall accident:
- Document the accident scene. If physically able, take photos and videos of the accident scene. Document the scene from various angles. It is often easy for the property owner to repair the hazard that caused the slip and fall after the accident, so time-stamped images can be critical to your claim.
- Take photos of your injuries. Document any visible bruises, cuts, swelling, or other signs of trauma as soon as possible. These images can also provide valuable evidence of the extent and timing of your injuries.
- Preserve your clothing and shoes. Do not wash or alter what you were wearing at the time of the accident. Instead, place the clothes and shoes in a sealed paper bag. They may contain critical evidence, such as blood, torn fabric, or substances from the floor where you fell.
- Gather contact info for witnesses. If there are eyewitnesses, obtain their names and contact information.
- Report the accident and request documentation. Notify the property owner or building management immediately and ask to file an official accident report. Be sure to request a copy for your records.
Follow Your Treatment Plan
After receiving medical care, it’s essential to follow your doctor’s treatment plan precisely. If it isn’t effective or causes concerns, consult your provider about possible adjustments; don’t discontinue care on your own. Gaps in treatment or failure to follow medical advice can seriously undermine your claim, giving insurers reason to question the severity or legitimacy of your condition.
Compensation in a Slip and Fall Settlement
Compensation, or damages, in a slip and fall settlement may include economic and non-economic components. The former is based on easily quantifiable financial losses, such as medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, and diminished earning capacity. Non-economic damages are more subjective and not as easily measured. They may include emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering.
Contact a Los Angeles Slip and Fall Attorney at Salamati Law
If you were seriously injured due to a property owner’s negligence, an experienced slip and fall lawyer in Los Angeles at Salamati Law can help hold the negligent parties accountable. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today. We work on a contingency basis, so you pay no fee unless you receive compensation.
