When you fall, it is normal to enter a state of shock. Your mind needs time to process what happened, but panic sets in after a few minutes.
After falling to the ground, don’t let fear overcome your mind. It could push you to do actions that could worsen your situation. Knowing the right recovery process may help reduce anxiety and protect yourself from further injury.
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Assess your body for injuries.
Slipping on the floor happens fast, and you may land on your arm, hip or back. While on the ground, check your body for any pain. Slip-and-fall incidents can cause a variety of injuries, depending on the degree of impact, such as:
- Cuts and bruises
- Slip or herniated discs
- Dislocations
- Muscle sprains and strains
- Fractures
- Head injuries
Besides these, you could also suffer from psychological trauma and experience shame, anxiety, and self-doubt. Because of this, your mind convinces your body to stop moving and protect itself from getting hurt again. If you don’t feel hurt or any discomfort, get up safely by following these steps:
- Slowly roll onto your side and push the ground to prop yourself up to a side-sitting position.
- Find a stable object to help you stand up. Place both hands on the object, then lift and bend one leg at a time.
- Rise to your feet, then find balance before letting go of your support. You can take a seat if you are having trouble maintaining balance.
On the other hand, if you sense pain anywhere in your body and have trouble getting up, call for help.
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Seek assistance.
Falling may cause a serious injury that prevents you from standing up. If this happens, call for help. Here are a few ways to do so:
- Gain the attention of people nearby by shouting.
- Use your mobile phone to call 911.
- Press your aid button or community alarm to alert the nurses.
Once help has arrived, narrate the incident to the respondent. Spare no details, as this can help them provide the appropriate care for you.
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Learn from the fall to prevent another one
Your slip-and-fall accident offers you the opportunity to learn from experience and prevent it from happening again. Start by drafting an action plan, which could include:
- Removing fall hazards in your surroundings
- Installing handrails on your walls, stairs and countertops
- Placing non-slip mats and rugs on the floor
- Having a phone with emergency contacts saved nearby
- Giving the keys to your property to someone you trust
While a slip-and-fall case can occur at home, it can also be in public spaces, such as the mall, grocery store or a business building. In case you fell on someone’s property, you have the right to pursue a personal injury claim. Consulting with a premises liability attorney may help you build a case and get compensation for the damages you suffered.