A slip and fall can lead to more serious injuries than you might think, such as a rib fracture. While the physical pain from that kind of injury is often intense, there’s another issue that may lead to bigger problems. Your bills are going to keep rolling in just like normal, even though you need months of recovery time—which is why you should talk to a lawyer after any slip and fall.
Signs and Potential Complications of Broken Ribs After a Fall
The number one sign to look out for is chest pain, especially when breathing or laughing. Bruising in the chest area and difficulty breathing are also warning signs. Broken ribs are crucial to discover early because this kind of fracture can lead to other, more dangerous complications, like internal bleeding and organ injuries.
That’s one important reason why you need to go to the doctor no matter your apparent condition after a slip and fall. Dangerous internal injuries might not be obvious to you after getting up off the floor. Complications can include:
- Hemothorax (blood pooling between chest and lungs)
- Hypoxia (reduced oxygen)
- Organ damage to the lungs, liver, or spleen
- Pneumonia
Of course, these complications are likely to lead to additional health care costs and difficulties getting back to earning a living. That’s why you need an attorney to help protect your legal rights.
What to Do if You Break Ribs in a Slip and Fall
While you focus on your physical health, your attorney can investigate the accident and gather evidence proving the property owner behaved negligently. Having experienced representation is also crucial to preventing the insurance company from using common tactics to reduce your potential settlement.
An attorney is also needed to present the facts of the case to a jury and effectively tell the story of your accident if you file a personal injury lawsuit. Whether dealing with insurance, a court case, or both, your attorney’s job is to fight to recover damages such as:
- Costs for hospitalization, medications, and any other type of medical care directly related to the slip and fall accident.
- Income you lost during the recovery period
- Physical pain, emotional suffering, and other non-economic damages
- Physical or occupational therapy
Talk to a Slip and Fall Attorney About Your Financial Recovery
Did you suffer broken ribs in a Philadelphia slip and fall accident? We want to hear from you and help you pursue the financial recovery you deserve. Get in touch to schedule a consultation by calling 215-332-0300 or by sending a message online here.
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