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Broken bones in a DC slip and fall are an unfortunate reality in many cases, especially when a victim is older. Broken bones can make recovering from such an injury quite difficult. Worse yet, recovering against a defendant for a DC slip and fall injury can be difficult. Claims against the DC government can be challenging, with unique statutes and deadlines working against you. But this does not mean it is not worth pursuing. Speaking with a DC slip and fall lawyer to discuss your options is advisable, especially in a case with broken bones. Gelb & Gelb provides free case consultations to any prospective client. Slipping and falling can happen in an instant. But, the ramifications of the defendant’s negligence can last you several months or even years. When this happens, you deserve compensation.
In any slip and fall case, there is the immediate question of liability. Proving negligence is not as clear as in a motor vehicle accident case. In such a case, we can prove by the way the vehicle is damaged that it was hit by another vehicle and did not run into a pole. Conversely, a slip and fall have far less evidence available. That is, unless an accident victim records evidence of the fall immediately and reports it to the defendant. Thus, it is up to you to collect as much information as possible immediately after your fall. If you do fracture a bone, you may soon face large expenses that you should not have to pay for if you are not responsible for the fall. Below, we explore the most common broken bones in a DC slip and fall and how to handle each.
If you break a bone in a DC slip and fall, contact our office immediately to discuss your options.
A broken wrist injury from a DC slip and fall is among the most common injuries. If you do not break your wrist, you surely will hurt or sprain it. This type of injury often occurs in icy or wet conditions or on uneven surfaces. When you slip, it is natural to try to catch yourself. You may do so by attempting to grab the nearest object to support yourself. In some instances, this can only make your injury worse. While the worse fall due to attempting to grab something is not your fault as it is a natural reaction, it can lead to a broken wrist. The other way you may suffer a broken wrist in a DC slip and fall is by merely bracing yourself as you hit the ground. This can protect against a broken hip bone or tailbone, but your wrist cannot always withstand the force.
Broken wrists can range from hairline fractures to severe breaks requiring surgery. Symptoms include swelling, tenderness, difficulty moving the hand, and visible deformities.
You may fracture your ankle in a DC slip and fall accident. Much like a fall causing a broken wrist, you may break your ankle by an awkward landing or fall. In our decades of experience handling slip and fall accidents, we see broken ankles from poorly maintained sidewalks, stairs, or flooring. A broken ankle can have a significant impact on your quality of life. At best, you may be on crutches for a few weeks. In more serious cases, you may be relegated to a cast and crutches or a wheelchair following a long and expensive surgery.
A broken him is generally suffered by older adults who cannot brace themselves from a fall as well. In our experience, younger accident victims suffer broken wrists while older injury victims suffer broken hips. This is due in part to a lack of reflexes at an older age and in part due to a lack of bone density at later ages. Falling from almost any height can lead to a broken hip, especially on a hard floor as found in most grocery stores, restaurants, parks, or anywhere else where a fall might occur. Symptoms include severe pain in the hip or groin, inability to bear weight, and visible swelling or bruising. As you get older, recovering from a broken bone becomes harder too. This makes your legal case against the defendant responsible for your fall all the more important. Your injury may last months, years, or an indefinite period of time. When this happens, medical expenses can reach exorbitant levels, and your quality of life can be permanently reduced.
Our DC slip and fall lawyers consider all of these factors when calculating your damages.
While each of the fractures discussed above are severe and will reduce your quality of life and ability to enjoy hobbiefs, a skull fracture is life-threatening. You will likely require immediate surgery to prevent internal bleeding and permanent brain damage. You may need your skull glued back together. Symptoms include severe headaches, loss of consciousness, and dizziness. But the injury can also be associated with life ending brain damage. Thus, if you suffer a skull fracture due to a DC slip and fall, your best course of action is to seek immediate medical care. When you are able, contact an attorney at Gelb & Gelb to preserve any evidence in your case. Time is often of the essence. When you make a claim for a DC slip and fall against the DC government, there are statutes that limit the time you have to make a claim. This can be tolled in rare instances to go beyond the statutory limit if you are in a coma, which is possible with a skull fracture injury. Nevertheless, the sooner you speak to a lawyer, the better.
If you hit your head and suffer a skull fracture in a DC slip and fall case, call our office today for a free consultation.
Similarly to many of the other fractures discussed, you may suffer a broken arm when you try to brace yourself during a fall. Only, instead of breaking your wrist or ankle, you may suffer a broken elbow or humerus. While less common than a broken wrist, it can be an even worse injury if you are unlucky enough to have one because it is a larger bone. Accordingly, it will take longer to fully recover and you will be even more restricted in your movement.
Such injuries are common on uneven sidewalks, staircases, or poorly maintained premises. Victims may require splints, casts, or surgical interventions depending on the severity of the break.
Our DC slip and fall lawyers have represented victims in Washington, DC for all types of personal injury cases for over 70 years. While a slip and fall is generally more challenging and one that some personal injury lawyers shy away from, it is a challenge we fully embrance. By understanding your rights and the claims process, you can take the necessary steps toward recovery and justice. We will guide you, from settlement to trial. Hold the wrongdoers accountable for your injuries.
Call Roger Gelb and his team of attorneys at (202) 331-7227 today to discuss your options.
Copyright © 2024 Gelb & Gelb, P.C. All rights reserved.