Slipping and falling is a distressing endeavor. The magnitude of the impact can leave you with lasting bruises, wounds, and broken bones that can take a long time to recover. Depending on how high you fall, some slip and fall injuries can land you in the hospital for an extended period, while in extreme cases, this tragedy can prove fatal.
According to the CDC, over one million Americans suffer a slip and fall injury, and about 17,000 of them may die from the injuries. There are many reasons why you trip. Perhaps you stepped on slippery pavement, worked in a hazardous environment with tools lining the floor, or tripped on a frictionless staircase.
Once you get injured, you must focus on recovery and power through the pain. To help you heal smoothly with minimum complications, here’s what you need to do:
- Understand That You Can Report Your Injury
You can report the owners of the premises if you sustain a slip and fall injury; for example, you can report your company if you sustain such an injury at work as your manager is responsible for providing you with a safe work environment; if they fail to do so, you can sue for negligence. They need to account for all the factors that make your workplace hazardous.
For instance, Colorado is known for its notorious black ice during spring. This natural phenomenon reduces friction and makes any surface impossible to stand on. If your employer provides no equipment to trek across black ice, resulting in slipping, you can lodge a case. The same goes for a department store or shopping mall that does not ensure timely snow/ice removal in their parking lot. And since slip and fall is a personal injury, you need to contact a legal body like The O’Sullivan Law Firm – personal injury lawyers in Colorado as it is relevant to your state.
This will allow you to hold your employers responsible and seek adequate compensation for your pain and suffering. You should never have to pay because your employer was too careless to look after you. Get a checkup before reporting your company; let your HR know as you rush to the ER.
- Go To A Doctor
When your body collides with the ground with a strong force, there is a chance you may have more than superficial injuries. Slip and falls can cause internal bleeding and fractures that need to be checked out. Even if you feel fine and can walk, you could be sporting a concussion that can escalate further and become a full-blown hemorrhage. Therefore, keep an eye out for unusual pain and symptoms like vomiting and dizziness.
While some pain and injuries are expected, if you start to bleed, notice you have more than scrapes and if you feel a deep ache around your body, check in with a doctor. If you are not in a rush to go to the hospital immediately, monitor your symptoms for twenty-four hours after the fall and then go for a consultation. Specific injuries take time to express themselves, and within a day, you can tell if you are more injured than you think. Additionally, don’t start self-medicating and consuming pills to subside the pain; avoid getting your medication over the counter and stick to prescription pills.
- Rest Plenty
Physical injuries require you to rest extensively. This gives your body a chance to heal as your muscles relax. Staying in bed also prevents you from causing unnecessary strain and stress to your limbs, which means, unless needed, try not to move around too much. Depending on where you sustained your injuries, you may need to make special accommodations to your bed. If your spine is injured, you may need a more rigid mattress to avoid putting pressure on your wounds.
Your arms and legs need to get elevated to prevent inflammation and numbness. Invest in a neck and head support pillow if your head suffers a heavy blow. While resting, make sure you stay hydrated and compress any swelling. You also need to eat a proper diet that is easy on the stomach, especially if you are on a painkiller. After a specific period, and if your doctor approves your condition, gradually flex your muscles and exercise them.
- Visit A Physical Therapist
Your musculoskeletal structure may need assistance as it tries to regain normal motion. Fractures and injured muscles can make it hard for your limbs to move, and you even experience resistance as you extend them. This can add to your suffering and compromise your lifestyle. If your body is locked into place, you may need a mobility aid to move. In such cases, it is best to see a physical therapist. These experts can assess your muscles, identify areas with scarring, and gradually encourage your muscles to move against resistance.
Physical therapists are professionals with a deep understanding of human anatomy. They know how to work out your knots and what massage techniques can boost your circulation and help your muscles move again. You can injure yourself further if you attempt to stretch a frozen shoulder or an impacted body part. Physical therapy is a gradual and supervised method that uses different guided techniques like stretch balls and hydrotherapy, which accelerates recovery and goes easy on your joints.
Final Thoughts
Healing from a slip and fall can be too much to endure. The sudden, hard impact can knock the breath out of your lungs and injure your body at various points. You may understandably be in immense pain if you recently suffered a slip and fall. Therefore, to optimize your recovery, focus on complete bed rest; check in with a doctor, and once you feel like you can stand on your feet, make an appointment with your physical therapist. You don’t have to bear the pain in silence. The law authorizes you to file a lawsuit against whomever is responsible and get sufficiently compensated that can get used in your treatment. The bottom line is, any time you are injured, seek help, focus on recovery, and don’t neglect your health further.