Evelyn Hudson 
An industrial, manufacturing, safety topic. A worker in pain after slipping on liquid in an industrial plant.
When you fall on a hard surface and injure yourself, you may be in excruciating pain and not know your next steps. However, what you do following your slip and fall accident determines the outcome of your personal injury claim. It will dramatically impact your ability to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
The National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) estimates that over one million people visit the emergency room yearly due to a slip and fall injury. This raises the question of how much time you actually have to visit the doctor before it is too late. While there is no specific law stating when you should visit the ER, a Jersey City slip and fall attorney recommends that you do it immediately.
When should you seek medical attention after a slip and fall injury?
The law in New Jersey does not state a specific timeframe within which you must visit a doctor and get a medical diagnosis after a slip and fall accident. However, getting medical attention within 72 hours of your accident is still recommended, or even sooner if possible. If you are unable to connect with your family physician, you may make an appointment with another doctor or visit the emergency room.
There are several reasons to get medical attention, one of which is your health. Not all slip-and-fall accidents result in excruciating pain. However, some injuries take time to show symptoms, perhaps a few weeks to months. By the time the symptoms appear, your injury may worsen, and you may need to go through a more extensive mode of treatment.
Secondly, you should visit your doctor right after a slip and fall accident to understand the extent of your injuries. Certain types of injuries are only recognizable by an expert. Your doctor can tell you just how severely injured you are and what type of treatment you should get.
How does not seeking medical attention ruin your personal injury case?
Not seeking medical attention immediately after the accident does not only risk your health but your personal injury case as well. The longer you wait to see a doctor, the more difficult it will be for you to get a high compensation. The insurance company could use one or both of the following arguments:
- The accidental fall did not cause your injuries.
- Your injuries are not as serious as you claim.
Contact an attorney today.
