Copyright © 2024 Gelb & Gelb, P.C. All rights reserved.
If you slip and fall in Washington, DC, you may suffer any one of the common injuries in a DC slip and fall. We must ask at least two questions when evaluating a DC slip and fall claim. While there are other questions to consider, these are the primary concerns. First, can we establish liability? If we can use the evidence we have, meaning there is no need to issue a subpoena, then we may be able to settle your case quickly and effectively. Without proper evidence, we may have to file a lawsuit, file a subpoena, and collect evidence that way. But the second concern in a DC slip and fall is the value of your case. Going through the trial process is expensive. Thus, your injuries must warrant paying expert witnesses, filing costs, and legal fees.
The common injuries in a DC slip and fall do not always warrant a claim. For example, if you suffer a cut or bruise but do not receive any follow-up care, your injury may not have enough monetary value to warrant pursuing. Meanwhile, if you suffer a bruise and have soreness that lasts months, that falls under pain and suffering. Pain and suffering are forms of noneconomic damages that have value based on two factors. We consider how long the pain lasts and how severe the pain is. But that alone does not make up the full value of your case.
We also include any medical expenses. For example, if you suffer a broken bone, you may require surgery. Of course, surgery is expensive, and you should not be left to foot the bill. Thus, we include any medical expenses related to your common injuries in the valuation of your case.
If you have questions about valuing your case or common injuries in a DC slip-and-fall, call our office today for a free case consultation.
A head and brain injury is one of the more common injuries in a DC slip and fall. Even a seemingly minor fall can result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion, or skull fracture. For as common as these injuries are when you fall and hit your head, the injuries are all the more severe. In our experience, these injuries can persist for years in more severe cases. For example, you may suffer dizziness indefinitely. When this happens, you may be unable to perform at your job and can even be let go. In this instance, you need an experienced DC slip-and-fall lawyer to protect your rights.
Beyond dizziness, you may experience headaches, bruising, memory loss, or difficulty concentrating. We do not claim to know all there is to know about brain injuries. This is why we advise you to speak to a doctor specializing in this type of injury immediately. However, we have spoken with countless clients whose lives are never again the same after a nasty head injury. Our leading attorneys can assist you with holding the wrongdoer accountable, complying with applicable statutes, and maximizing your compensation.
Contact us today by calling (202) 331-7227 or messaging us through our website.
While a spinal cord injury is less common in a DC slip and fall, you may certainly experience a back injury. In fact, that is perhaps the most common DC slip and fall injury we observe. Especially as you get older, your back is susceptible to injury. Unfortunately, a back injury can lead to mobility issues. This can affect your ability to earn a paycheck. While you can make a lost wage claim at the end of your case, this does not help that you may not be able to afford to pay your bills during your recovery. We are cognizant of this issue and can work with you toward a quicker recovery, getting your medical bills put on hold, and more. Even less severe back injuries, like sprains or muscle strains, can significantly disrupt daily activities, requiring extensive physical therapy or surgery.
Part of treating a back injury is mitigating future pain and discomfort. Unfortunately, a back injury can recur for the rest of your life. We want to ensure you are fairly compensated for this pain.
Sprains and strains are among the more common yet underestimated injuries in slip and fall accidents. A sprain occurs when ligaments are stretched or torn, often in the ankles, wrists, or knees. It is also a common injury in a DC slip and fall that can linger for months. This is why we advise at least speaking to a doctor to decide whether you need follow-up care and physical therapy. Many of our clients tell us physical therapy noticeably helps their pain and discomfort, especially for a sprain or strain. A sprain or strain can lead to swelling, stiffness, and prolonged discomfort. This makes it difficult to perform everyday tasks.
In many cases, slow, methodical physical therapy is the best remedy. That and doing nothing that can risk aggravation. It requires time to heal fully from one of these injuries. In addition to physical therapy reducing your recovery time, it can alleviate pain and soreness.
Cuts and bruises are also common injuries in a DC slip and fall. These injuries differentiate themselves because they are more visible than mere soreness in your back or neck. While soreness is a legitimate and compensable injury, it is not as clear in a photograph as a cut or bruise. Moreover, a cut or bruise can cause permanent scarring. Particularly if you are a younger adult or child and you have a scar on your face, that can have a lasting impact on your quality of life. This is something we aggressively pursue the tortfeasor for to recover maximum compensation.
Emotional and psychological effects are less common than the other injuries discussed above. Yet, they occur if you can no longer enjoy your favorite hobbies because of your injury. The suddenness and trauma of the accident can lead to conditions like anxiety, depression, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You may develop a fear of falling, which causes you to not participate in certain activities. However, to recover compensation for this type of emotional injury, mere testimony is not enough. You must be diagnosed by a doctor who relates your PTSD to your injury. We then must hire an expert witness to testify at trial. This can be expensive and is not compensable. Thus, it comes out of the recovery and can reduce the amount of compensation you receive if the end does not justify the means.
We determine whether it is worth it for you to pursue on a case-by-case basis. As always, it is in your interest to speak with a DC personal injury lawyer to discuss your options.
The Washington, DC, personal injury lawyers at Gelb & Gelb have practiced injury law in the District for over 70 years. Since then, we have successfully resolved over 10,000 cases. If you have suffered one of the common injuries in a DC slip and fall, call our office today for a free case consultation and evaluation.
Copyright © 2024 Gelb & Gelb, P.C. All rights reserved.