Falls account for millions of visits to emergency rooms each year with slips and falls accounting for 12% of these. A fall is no small matter. It can lead to serious and life-altering injuries that can take months of recovery. Even if there are no obvious signs of injury immediately following a slip and fall, don’t consider yourself in the clear just yet. It’s possible that you may not experience any symptoms until days after the accident. We explore slip and fall injuries more in our blog and give you an idea of what you can expect.
How Long After a Fall Can Pain Start?
Pain can occur immediately after a fall, but it is just as likely that it can occur within the week after. Because not all injuries appear right away, it is important to carefully monitor your health for anything new or different. Adrenaline can easily mask any issues early on so keeping an eye on any red flags is highly recommended in the days following a slip and fall.
Slip and Fall Injuries Symptoms
There are a variety of injuries that can occur as a result of a slip and fall. These include back injuries, neck injuries, head injuries, and more. Many of these injuries have symptoms that attribute themselves to the following:
- Soreness
- Pain
- Numbness
- Nausea
Soreness After a Fall
Soreness may be felt after a fall. This is common because your body absorbs the impact and as a result, you may be sore in the days following. Check with a doctor if this lasts for multiple days and be conscious of your symptoms in differentiating between soreness and pain.
Pain After a Fall
Pain after a fall can come from many causes. It’s possible to have sprained a ligament, amassed cuts and bruises, pulled muscles, or even experienced more serious injuries such as broken bones, fractures, or head injuries.
Numbness After a Fall
Numbness after a fall can potentially signal serious damage to the body. Tingling or numbness can indicate that the nerves have been injured, stretched, or compressed. This feeling may be temporary in mild cases or permanent in severe ones. If you experience significant numbness, seek medical attention immediately.
Nausea After a Fall
Nausea is a stress response that can occur after a fall. It may be your body reacting to high levels of pain such as from a broken bone. In some cases, nausea and vomiting can be a sign of a concussion. It’s important to be evaluated by a doctor to get prompt care and treatment.
Signs of Internal Injury After a Fall
It’s important to be aware of your body and any other pain that may emerge. Internal bleeding is a potential consequence after a fall. Stomach pain can be an indicator of this and is one sign that there is more damage than what meets the eye. If you notice this, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall
If you’ve experienced a slip and fall, the most important step you can take is to seek medical attention. This not only creates a reference point for your injury, but it also ensures that you are thoroughly examined and given proper medical advice following a fall.
If you’re able to do so, inspect the scene of your accident and take pictures of your findings. For example, was there a slippery floor without adequate signage? It is important to document these potential causes as soon as possible. Identify any witnesses who may be of help in testifying on your behalf and save their contact information for reference.
Keep the details of your accident private and contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Legal counsel is your ally in situations like this and will ensure you are not lowballed by insurance companies. Learn more about average slip and fall settlement compensation.
DM Injury Law Represents Slip and Fall Accident Claims
Your attorney’s goal is to make sure you are compensated fairly for your losses. When you work with an experienced law professional, you have a trusted partner on your side who will work tirelessly to protect your rights in premise liability cases. Our team has over a century of collective experience and knows how to hold negligent parties responsible for their actions. Contact us today for a free consultation and get on the path of getting your life back on track.