Slip and fall accidents happen often, and they can happen to anyone. We often associate these types of cases with the elderly, but the truth is that anyone can fall victim to it. Take a second to think about how often you’re distracted when you’re walking around.
Maybe you’re on your phone, or thinking about the deadline that’s coming up. You’re not paying that much attention to your surroundings, right? This makes it incredibly easy for you to miss a slippery or wet spot on the floor, and bam! You slip; and you fall. For such a basic event, the repercussions can be very serious. You may be able to walk away with a few bruises, but there is also always the possibility of seriously injuring yourself, and, as with all injuries, there will be financial implications.
Legal fees
If you think that your slip and fall injury was due to the actions or negligence of another person or an institution, you may have a personal injury case. For example, when floors in public spaces such as shopping centers are being cleaned, there has to be a sign warning you of the fact that the floor is slippery. If that sign wasn’t there, you could claim that that was the cause of your accident. Personal injury cases could mean that you get financially compensated for the accident, which is great, but remember that you’ll also need to pay legal fees to get an attorney that can help prove you were injured from a slip.
Medical fees
Of course, if you were injured badly enough for you to want to take legal action, you’ll probably need to undergo some form of medical treatment. This treatment can vary; it can be a quick procedure like getting stitches, or something more serious, like having to undergo surgery. Either way, keep in mind that it may not be a once-off expense. Serious injuries, like bone fractures, can take months to heal, which means you’ll have ongoing expenses such as check-ups or physiotherapy.
You’ll miss work
All companies have to offer you sick leave, and once that is used up, you can start using your paid leave. However, if your injuries caused by the slip and fall mean that you are unable to do your job properly, you may need to take unpaid leave, which means that you’ll be losing your income until you’re healed. There are ways to make money while staying at home, but these won’t be as secure as your regular salary.
Hidden costs
We’ve covered all of the glaringly obvious costs, and the ones that will cost you the most money. However, after a serious slip and fall injury, there will always be hidden costs that you don’t think of. These may not require big sums of money at once, but they add up. For example, if you’re unable to drive, you’ll likely need to pay for public transportation, while still paying for your car. You may also need to pay for medical supplies such as crutches, or pain medication. Be sure to make provision for these unexpected expenses when you’re setting up your budget in the months after a slip and fall injury.
Photo Credit: sparky2000
