When you go to a hospital you expect care and safety but sometimes slip and fall accidents happen there cause serious injury medical costs and disruption to your life.
What to Do Immediately After a Hospital Slip and Fall
- Get help from staff on the floor where you fell. Use whatever call button or pull cord is available or ask someone for help.
- Document the scene. Take photos of what caused you to fall such as spills cords or medical equipment, the area where you fell, and any visible injuries. Get names and contact info of witnesses.
- Seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor. Ask doctors or nurses to check you carefully if they seem dismissive.
- Preserve evidence. Keep the clothes and shoes you were wearing. Do not wash them if they were involved in the incident. Store them safely.
- Report the fall to the hospital. Make a formal complaint or incident report so there is a record in their system.
- Speak with a slip and fall lawyer. Talking with an attorney early helps protect your rights especially if the hospital or insurance offers a quick settlement.
How a Lawyer Can Help
- Explain your legal options and whether suing makes sense in your case.
- Assess your damages including medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering and things that aren’t obvious right away.
- Investigate what caused the fall. That may include checking whether hospital staff received complaints of similar incidents, whether procedures for cleaning and safety were followed.
- Build a strong case showing the hospital had a duty to keep patients and visitors safe, that they breached that duty, and that breach caused your injury.
- Help you navigate important legal rules in California to avoid mistakes that could limit your ability to recover damages.
Common Causes of Hospital Slip and Fall Accidents
Hospitals have many hazards including wet floors from spills, uneven walkways, missing or poorly placed handrails, broken elevators, medical cords or tubes on the floor, lack of staff or poor communication, mobility assistance not always provided, and sometimes improperly trained staff. Many visitors and patients already have mobility challenges which increases risk.
Types of Injuries That Often Appear Delayed
Injuries from slip and fall may look minor initially and grow worse over time. Examples include head or brain injuries, neck injuries, back injuries, wrist or forearm injuries, ankle injuries. Some require long recovery times or surgical intervention.
California Laws That Apply
- Statute of limitations is usually two years for most slip and fall claims but in some cases it may be shorter.
- California uses pure comparative negligence, so even if you share some fault your damages may be reduced accordingly but you may still recover something.
- If the fall is tied to medical care or hospital negligence it may trigger medical malpractice rules. Those claims may have shorter filing deadlines and caps on certain damages.
How Hillstone Law Can Help
If you were hurt in a hospital due to a slip and fall we can help you gather evidence apply the right legal theory evaluate your losses negotiate with the hospital or its insurer and pursue fair compensation for your injuries and related losses.
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Disclaimer: The material provided in these blogs is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Reading these posts does not create, and is not intended to create, an attorney-client relationship with Hillstone Law. Our intent is to share knowledge, raise awareness, and provide helpful resources to the public; however, Hillstone Law makes no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided, and expressly disclaims liability for any actions taken in reliance on it. The photos used in these posts are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict actual clients, individuals, or incidents unless expressly stated. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, please contact Hillstone Law at (855) 691-1691. Our attorneys are available to answer your legal questions and help you understand your rights.
