Beyond the Bruise: Documenting Long-Term Injuries from a Simple Fall

A “simple fall” can often lead to complex, long-lasting injuries that go far beyond a visible bruise or scrape. Insurance companies frequently try to minimize these injuries, calling them sprains or muscle pulls.

To ensure your compensation accurately reflects your losses from a New Haven slip and fall accident, you must meticulously document the long-term effects of your slip and fall accident.

1. Serious and Hidden Physical Injuries

Falls, especially on hard surfaces, frequently result in injuries requiring extensive documentation:

• Fractures (Broken Bones): While obvious, document the need for surgery, pins, plates, and the length of recovery time.
• Head/Brain Trauma (Concussions): Even a momentary blackout or dizziness is serious. Document headaches, sensitivity to light, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating. This often requires testing by a neurologist.
• Soft Tissue & Spinal Injuries: Falls often impact the spine. Document herniated discs, pinched nerves, or torn ligaments (like in the knee or shoulder) that may require arthroscopic surgery or fusion.

2. The Financial Documentation (Economic Damages)

You must keep organized records that prove the monetary value of your losses.

• Medical Records: Keep every bill, co-pay receipt, physical therapy log, and prescription receipt.
• Lost Wages: Get a written statement from your employer detailing the exact hours or days you missed and the corresponding pay you lost. If you are self-employed, document contracts lost or income missed.
• Future Costs: If your doctor states you will need future medical treatment (like a knee replacement 10 years down the line), your attorney will use this professional opinion to calculate the future cost of care in your claim.

3. The Emotional and Lifestyle Impact (Non-Economic Damages)

“Pain and suffering” and loss of enjoyment of life are legitimate damages. You must keep a log detailing how the injury has affected your everyday routine:

• Inability to Perform Hobbies: You can no longer play golf, garden, or lift your child.
• Sleep Issues: Chronic pain keeps you awake.
• Anxiety/Fear: You now have a persistent fear of falling or entering public spaces.