I Fell Down the Stairs and Hit My Back. What Should I Do?

A back injury can have a profound and lasting impact on your life. Not only can it cause pain and suffering, but it can also lead to expensive medical bills and lost wages. If you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced personal injury attorney can evaluate your case and help you get the compensation you are entitled to.

Contact Morgan & Morgan today for help. We handle all types of personal injury claims, and we will do whatever it takes to ensure you receive the justice you deserve.

Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.

Most Common Back Injuries From Slip and Falls 

Slips, trips, and falls are one of the leading causes of both fatal and nonfatal injuries in adults aged 65 and older. Back injuries occur often. Here are the most common back injuries that occur from slip and falls, including falling down the stairs.

Slipped Disc

Also called a herniated disc or a ruptured disc, a slipped disc occurs when the cartilage between your vertebrae tears or ruptures. This can happen when you lift something heavy or when you make a sudden movement, such as falling. When the cartilage tears, the inner gel-like substance leaks out and puts pressure on your spinal cord or nerves. This can cause severe pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in your arms or legs. Surgery may be necessary to repair a slipped disc.

Spinal Fracture

A spinal fracture is a break in one or more of the bones in your spine. A fall from a height, a car accident, or a blow to the spine can cause a spinal fracture. Spinal fractures can range from minor cracks to complete breaks. A broken bone in your spine can damage your spinal cord or nerves and may require surgery to fix.

Sciatica

Sciatica is a condition that causes pain in your lower back and legs. It happens when the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back down your legs, becomes irritated or compressed. A slipped disc or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) can cause sciatica. Symptoms include pain that radiates from your lower back down your leg, numbness or tingling in your leg, and weakness in your leg muscles. Physical therapy and medication can help relieve symptoms of sciatica. Surgery may be necessary if other treatments don't work.

If you have sustained a back injury in a slip or fall, it's important to seek medical attention as soon as possible so that you can get started on the road to recovery. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may need surgery or physical therapy to fully recover. If you have questions about whether you have a case against the property owner where you fell, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer today for a free consultation.

How to Handle a Personal Injury Claim After Falling Down the Stairs?

If you've recently fallen down the stairs and hit your back, you may be wondering what to do next. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may be facing a long road to recovery—and mounting medical bills. If your fall was caused by someone else's negligence, you may also be considering filing a personal injury claim. Here's what you need to know about taking legal action after an accident.

What to Do Immediately After the Accident?

If you've been involved in any type of accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention, even if you don't think you're seriously injured. Many injuries, especially those to the spine or head, can worsen without proper treatment.

Once you've been seen by a doctor, follow their recommended course of treatment. This may include things like rest, ice, heat, physical therapy, or pain medication.

You should also keep detailed records of all your expenses related to the accident, including medical bills, prescription costs, and receipts for things like crutches or other mobility aids. These records will come in handy when it's time to file a personal injury claim.

How to Win a Slip and Fall Claim?

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall, you may be wondering how to win a slip and fall claim. The first step is to contact a personal injury lawyer who can help you navigate the legal process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Here’s what you need to know about winning a slip and fall claim.

How to Prove Negligence in a Slip and Fall Claim?

To win a slip and fall claim, you must be able to prove that the property owner was negligent in their duty to keep the premises safe. This means that you must show that the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard that caused your fall but did not take reasonable steps to fix it.

For example, if you slipped on the stairs because they were broken, you would need to show that the property owner knew the stairs were broken (or should have known) and did nothing to fix the situation.

How to Demonstrate Your Injuries?

To recover compensation after a slip and fall accident, you will need to demonstrate that you were actually injured as a result of the fall. This means more than just showing that you fell––you will need medical documentation detailing the extent of your injuries. Without this evidence, it will be difficult to prove your case.

Even if your injuries seem minor at first, it is always best to err on the side of caution and get them checked out by a doctor. You may have sustained internal injuries that are not immediately apparent but could become more serious over time.     

Once you have received medical treatment for your injuries, make sure to keep all documentation related to your care, including doctors’ notes, hospital records, X-rays, and bills. This documentation will be crucial in demonstrating the extent of your injuries and proving your damages (the financial losses incurred as a result of your accident.)

How to Calculate Your Damages?

The next step in winning a slip and fall claim is calculating your damages. This includes both economic damages (such as medical bills) and noneconomic damages (such as pain and suffering). Once again, good documentation will be key in calculating these damages.     

In addition to economic damages, you may also be entitled to recover noneconomic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, permanent disability, disfigurement, etc.

While there is no set formula for calculating these damages, your personal injury lawyer will use their experience handling similar cases to help determine what they believe is fair compensation for your particular circumstances.     

If you or someone you love has been involved in such an accident, it is important to understand how to win a slip and fall claim. By working with an experienced personal injury lawyer, you can ensure that negligent property owners are held liable for their actions—and that you receive the full compensation you deserve.

What if I Was Partially at Fault for the Fall?

The good news is that even if you were partially at fault for your accident, you may still be able to recover some damages under the principle of comparative negligence. The specifics of this rule depend on the state you’re in. For example, in some states, you can only recover damages if you’re less than 50% at fault. In others, you can recover damages if you’re less than 51% at fault. In a few states, you can’t recover injuries if you’re even 1% at fault. And in some other states, you can recover damages no matter how much at fault you are.

For example, let's say you slipped on a wet floor in a grocery store. The floor was wet because an employee had just mopped it and neglected to put up a "wet floor" sign. However, you were also not paying attention to where you were walking and weren't looking down at the floor. In this case, the court may find that you are 50% at fault for the accident and the grocery store is 50% at fault. This means that you would be able to recover 50% of the damages you incurred from the accident.

Comparative negligence laws vary from state to state, so it's important to speak with a personal injury lawyer in your state to see if you're eligible to recover any damages.

Contact Morgan & Morgan for Help With Your Back Injury

A back injury can have a significant impact on your life, causing chronic pain and limiting your ability to participate in activities you once enjoyed. If you have suffered a back injury as the result of someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. A personal injury claim can help you recover damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Don't hesitate to pursue a claim if you have been the victim of a back injury—you may be surprised at how much you are entitled to receive.

Contact Morgan & Morgan today to schedule a free case evaluation.