Slip and fall injuries can range from minor to severe, depending on the cause and type of injury. But even minor injuries can have effects that ripple out into a person’s daily activities and can significantly affect their employment and quality of life.
If you suffered an injury due to a slip and fall that greatly impacted your quality of life, but was not severe enough to warrant surgery, you may be hesitant to bring a personal injury lawsuit. Many people fear that the time and investment it will take will not be worth it if their injuries did not cause them to have a surgical intervention. The skilled attorneys at Thistle Law can help you decide whether or not to file a claim for your slip and fall accident with a free consultation, and we hope that the following information will also help you in making that determination.
What Injuries Can You Get From Slip and Fall Accidents?
You may not realize it, but slip and falls are the leading cause of injury for all ages in the United States. In fact, over 1 million people go to the emergency room every year for a slip and fall accident.
Injuries sustained from a slip and fall can be wide-ranging, and include, but are not limited to:
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Broken bones
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Soft tissue injuries
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Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
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Hip or other bone fractures
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Sprained ankles or wrists
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Cuts and abrasions
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Back and spinal cord injuries
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Shoulder or neck injury
How Much Should I Settle for a Slip and Fall?
As you can see from the above examples, there are many kinds of slip and fall injuries that may not require surgery, but may still have a huge impact on your quality of life. Your settlement amount will reflect the impact the accident has had on you, and will be determined by:
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Medical bills:
Any claim will be worth, at minimum, the amount of your medical bills. When calculating these, remember to include present and future bills
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Lost wages from time off work:
Recovering from a slip and fall can take months or years in some cases, which means you may lose wages from your employer
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Pain and suffering:
This amount is the most difficult to calculate, and the courts will consider things like how your home life has been altered, how your employment has been affected, and the expected duration of your injuries
Will Having Surgery Increase My Settlement Amount?
If the injuries you sustained during your slip and fall accident are severe enough to warrant surgery, then it is likely that your settlement amount will increase to cover the cost of this expensive procedure. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that you will receive more money after your doctor has been paid, as this additional money will first be used to pay your medical bills.
However, having surgery often means you will be out of work for a longer period of time, and that your activities of daily living may be more significantly impacted. If that is the case, then your slip and fall lawyer may be able to increase your claim for pain and suffering damages, which will mean a higher payout to you in the end.
How a Slip and Fall Lawyer Can Help Win Your Case
You should never consider getting an unnecessary surgery just to increase your settlement amount. As discussed above, the goal is to get your medical bills paid, and to get you fair compensation for your pain and suffering after an accident. This is regardless of whether or not your injuries were severe enough to warrant surgical intervention.
Some slip and fall accidents are minor, with injuries that heal quickly and with minimal impact on the victim. In these cases, going through the effort of bringing a lawsuit may not be worth it. But if you’ve experienced significant changes to your ability to perform activities of daily living, your job, or your physical health, then you are well within your rights to file a lawsuit for your injuries. Contact the experienced attorneys at Thistle Law, and we can help you successfully file your claim today. Call us at 215-525-6824 or fill out our form here.