You slipped, maybe in a store or on icy stairs, and thought you'd walk it off. However, the pain didn’t go away. Your legs tingled. Your back wouldn’t support you. You can’t work, and simple daily tasks feel impossible. Now, the long-term costs are piling up.
Hofmann & Schweitzer helps injured New Yorkers and New Jerseyans understand their legal rights after serious accidents. If you're dealing with the life-changing effects of a spinal injury after a slip and fall, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to carry the burden alone.
Why Are Slip and Fall Spinal Injuries So Devastating?
Your spine is the body’s central support system, and damage to it can affect everything from your ability to walk to your bowel control. Spinal injuries from falls often involve:
- Herniated or ruptured discs. These can compress nerves and cause lasting pain, numbness, or weakness.
- Vertebral fractures. Breaks in the spinal bones may require extensive surgical repair and long-term bracing.
- Spinal cord trauma. This can result in partial or total paralysis, especially when falls involve high-impact or twisting forces.
Recovery is rarely quick. Many patients require surgery, physical therapy, assistive devices, or even lifelong care.
What Are the Long-Term Costs of Spinal Injuries?
Spinal injuries can lead to a cascade of financial stress that isn’t always obvious at first.
Spinal cord injury costs often include, but aren’t limited to:
- Ongoing medical treatment. Physical therapy, repeat imaging, injections, and surgeries may be required for years.
- Lost income. Many victims can’t return to their previous jobs, or work at all.
- Home modifications. Wheelchair ramps, grab bars, or stair lifts may become necessary.
- Personal care. You may need help bathing, dressing, or running errands.
Some injuries lead to chronic pain that affects sleep, mood, and relationships. The emotional toll of no longer being able to live independently or support a family is something no insurance form can fully capture.
Can You Sue for a Slip and Fall Spinal Injury in New York or New Jersey?
Yes, you may be able to sue for a slip and fall spinal cord injury if a property owner or manager was negligent. In New York and New Jersey, property owners are required to maintain safe premises. If you fell because of a hazard they should have fixed or warned you about, you may have a claim.
Common examples include:
- Wet floors without warning signs
- Uneven sidewalks or broken steps
- Loose carpets or inadequate lighting
To build a strong case, your attorney must show the owner knew or should have known about the danger and failed to take proper action.
What Compensation Can a Slip and Fall Lawyer Help You Recover?
Compensation is not just about the past. It’s also about securing your future. An experienced slip and fall lawyer will seek compensation that covers both your current and anticipated needs. This may include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and future earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Out-of-pocket costs
Your lawyer will value all of your damages and seek fair compensation from insurance companies or in court if a fair settlement can’t be reached.
What to Do if You Suspect a Spinal Injury After a Fall
If you’ve experienced a fall and are concerned about spinal damage, take these steps:
- Seek immediate medical attention. Even if you think you’re okay, make sure to see a medical professional for a diagnosis to prevent any potential injuries from worsening over time without treatment.
- Report the incident. File a formal report with the property owner or manager.
- Preserve evidence. Take photos of the hazard and your injuries and get witness names.
- Avoid recorded statements. Insurance adjusters may try to minimize your injuries or blame you.
Additionally, you should contact a slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer can advise you and make sure that your rights are protected.
You Deserve Accountability—Not Just Apologies
Spinal injuries from slip and fall accidents aren’t just painful. They’re life-altering. And if someone else’s negligence caused your suffering, you shouldn’t be left holding the bill.
Hofmann & Schweitzer fights for victims throughout New York and New Jersey, helping them pursue justice, financial recovery, and peace of mind. Let us be your advocates in this fight.
