After suffering an injury in a slip and fall accident, it's important to be aware of the signs to watch for, such as bruising, headaches, intense pain that gets worse, and pain in general. You may be wondering when you should see a doctor. Well, the right answer is if you experience any pain or injuries after a fall, you should seek medical care immediately.

Whether you’re visiting a private home or a business, you expect a certain level of safety. Things like hazards being swept away, spills being cleaned up, and a safe and clear pathway to enter the building, parking lot, or sidewalk should be provided. Unfortunately, fall risks can appear everywhere, but usually, it's a result of a property owner's or company's neglect. If you fall, you may find yourself in the emergency room with serious injuries. Some injuries, though, take time to manifest. So, it's important to recognize the signs of a fall and how they may affect you and when you should see a doctor.

At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, our NJ slip and fall attorneys have assisted many clients involved in slip and fall accidents throughout the state of New Jersey and the surrounding areas.

You Could Suffer Injuries Without Realizing It

A variety of injuries can occur and may not seem very serious at first. Without seeing a doctor, there's a chance you could make the situation worse by injuring yourself further. On rare occasions, you even run the risk of permanent disability or even death if you choose not to see a doctor. You simply do not know if you are hurt much worse than you first think. Seeking medical attention is very important.

Additionally, you could be in shock if the fall was unexpected or traumatic. Shock can hide many medical issues or injuries that only become evident once the shock wears off much later.

The following injuries are just some examples that can be much worse than they appear to be at first:

• Internal traumas
• Head trauma
• Fractured bones (wrist or ankle)
• Back and neck pain
• Soft tissue damage

After a slip and fall, your injuries are typically evident, but you won't know if there's anything hiding until you see a doctor. If you have any of the following symptoms after a slip and fall, even if it is hours or days afterward, you should get yourself checked out.

Bruising or muscular spasming

Bumps, scrapes, and bruises are the results of falls. However, more serious injuries demand medical attention. Consult a doctor to rule out more serious injuries if you experience excessive bleeding or observe bruising that spreads farther than you would have anticipated following your accident. 

Stomach pain and nausea

Vomiting and nausea may indicate a concussion or other types of head injuries. However, digestive problems can also be a symptom of internal bleeding. Even if you did not fall onto your stomach, internal bleeding can still cause abdominal pain. Another symptom of internal bleeding is weakness or dizziness. Stomach pain may feel minor or grow more severe over time after your accident. 

Organ trauma may also be the cause of stomach pain. For instance, right side pain following a fall may indicate a bruised liver.

Dizziness or balance issue

Symptoms of a head injury often take hours to show up after an accident. You may not even recall striking your head or believe the blow wasn't particularly severe. It may be a sign of a brain injury if you experience vertigo, have trouble keeping your balance, or experience vision issues. A brain injury can also cause the following signs and symptoms, which can last for months.

• Memory issues
• Focus issues
• Headaches
• Irritation
• Sleep pattern changes
• Heightened sensitivity to light and sound

Your May Hurt Your Chances At Filing a Personal Injury Claim

If your slip and fall is due to negligence, you deserve to have the person that is responsible cover your damages, especially if you suffered injuries and are unable to work because of it. If you wait to get medical care, you could hinder your chances at getting compensation.

If you delay medical care after a slip and fall, the defendant may question whether or not they were responsive to the fall that caused the injuries. If you “walked it off” for a period after the accident, your potential to prove negligence leading to your injury is lessened. 

In contrast, establishing a clear distinction between your fall and your injury by going to the doctor right away. Consider the scenario where you slipped on a wet floor and landed on your wrist, suffering a hairline fracture. It is important to go to the emergency room right away to have it x-rayed and confirm that it is a fracture than to have it checked out the next day.

Typically, an insurance company would reject your claim that their client's negligence caused your fall and injury, especially if you have mild, non-obvious injuries. Having a medical report that verifies you got checked out immediately after the fall will go a long way to convincing an insurance company, a judge, or a jury that the fall caused your injury.

Do You Need a Slip and Fall Lawyer?

Employing a New Jersey slip and fall injury attorney can make all the difference when it comes to the results of your case. In the event that you suffered serious injuries following a fall accident on private or public property, you should speak with a personal injury lawyer about your legal options. If you have legal representation, your attorney will represent you in all correspondence with the insurance company and work to get you fair compensation.

There are no upfront fees when retaining the legal services of Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law. Our fees are contingent. Our law firm is only paid if we win your case.

Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us help you get through this terrible situation and get your life back on track.