There are many reasons that people might be dismissive about a slip-and-fall injury. The first is embarrassment. People who suddenly lose their balance and fall in a public space may dislike the attention that they receive. They may try to brush off concerns from others in an attempt to shield their self-esteem.
Unrealistic ideas about injuries can also contribute to people downplaying the aftermath of a slip-and-fall at a store. Many people assume that if they can get up without any immediate signs of severe injury, then they are not hurt.
Some people learn the hard way that slip-and-falls can cause very serious, painful and costly injuries. They leave the scene of the incident, only to struggle to cover their expenses later. There are several reasons why slip-and-fall injuries may be more expensive than people may initially anticipate.
Delayed symptom onset
Certain types of injuries may not be immediately obvious after a slip-and-fall. People with soft tissue injuries may only notice the pain and functional limitations the following day after inflammation intensifies. Individuals who sustain stable fractures may be able to continue using an injured body part until exertion or secondary injuries push the bone out of alignment. People who hit their heads could go days without developing symptoms of a traumatic brain injury. Internal injuries sustained in a slip-and-fall often require medical intervention to diagnose them quickly.
Surprising medical costs
People with fractures or brain injuries might assume that they can cover the cost of their own medical care. They don’t realize how expensive their injuries might ultimately be. A brain injury could trigger medical expenses that cost between tens of thousands of dollars and millions of dollars. Fractures could also cost tens of thousands of dollars due to surgery and physical therapy requirements. Even people with health insurance may have to cover some of those costs on their own due to deductibles and coinsurance.
Lost wages
A short-order cook or manufacturing professional with a broken bone probably needs to take several weeks away from their job or move to light-duty work with lower pay. Soft tissue injuries can also prevent people from performing physically demanding work tasks or focusing on mentally taxing job responsibilities. Traumatic brain injuries can permanently alter an individual’s cognitive function or personality, preventing them from working or forcing them to change professions. People with medical challenges may lose income or may experience a permanent reduction in their earning potential.
Given that slip-and-fall injuries can become quite expensive when looking at the big picture, reporting an incident and seeing a doctor afterward is usually the best option. Properly responding to a slip-and-fall can help people protect their right to seek premises liability compensation for their injuries later.
