How to Treat a Back Injury After a Fall in Nevada (And Legal Options)
Key Takeaways
- Back injuries from falls range from minor strains to severe spinal cord damage—always seek medical attention, as some injuries don’t show symptoms immediately.
- If a property owner’s negligence caused your fall, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- To recover compensation, you must prove the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition that caused your fall.
Back injuries, no matter how they occur, can be devastating and cause life-altering changes to your daily life. A back injury can keep you from taking care of everyday things like working, caring for your family, driving, or handling tasks around the house.
Most back injuries occur due to slip, trip, and fall accidents. Millions of people every year suffer back injuries and end up getting medical treatment after a fall.
Back injuries are made all the worse when they are caused by someone else’s disregard for your well-being. If your back injuries were caused by another party’s negligence, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries. When property or business owners allow dangerous conditions to exist and those conditions cause injuries to others, they can be held responsible. These owners could be required to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs related to your injuries.
The Richard Harris Law Firm is here to guide you through these tough situations. However, if you sustain a back injury from a fall, you should seek medical attention and get treated before anything else.
What Should I Do After a Back Injury From a Fall?
Seek medical attention immediately, even if your pain seems minor—some back injuries don’t show symptoms for hours or days. Document everything: take photos of the hazard that caused your fall, get witness contact information, and report the incident to the property owner. Keep copies of all medical records and expenses, as these become critical evidence if you pursue a premises liability claim.
Common Back Injuries and Treatments After a Fall
There are several common back injuries that occur after a fall. The type of injury you sustain often depends on how you landed and the force of impact. Here are the most common injuries and how doctors typically treat them:
Strains and sprains: These are considered minor injuries, and most doctors will treat them with medication, physical therapy, and rest. Surgery may be needed if these strains or sprains don’t heal properly or in a timely manner.
Fractures: Broken bones are common with falls. When the broken bone is in the spine, it can be intensely painful and debilitating. Tailbone breaks are a common occurrence when you fall on your backside. Spinal fractures should be treated right away since delaying treatment can result in severe complications like nerve damage, paralysis, and permanent spinal cord damage.
Herniated discs: The bones of the spine are protected and cushioned by discs that act as shock absorbers. When discs are injured, they are known as slipped, bulged, or ruptured discs. The discs contain jelly-like substances that can be pushed into the spinal cord from trauma. When this happens, these injuries can cause severe pain, numbness, and weakness. Herniated discs are usually treated first with rest and medication. Physical therapy may be recommended. If conservative treatments don’t work, surgery may be the next option.
Soft tissue injuries: Soft tissue injuries involve ligaments, tendons, and muscles that are stretched beyond capacity. These are painful and may involve swelling and loss of range of motion. While they will eventually heal, treatment might include physical therapy and stretching exercises.
Whiplash: Most people think of whiplash as something that happens during a car accident. However, a hard fall can cause the same rapid back-and-forth movement that leads to whiplash. This injury can be treated with medication and restricted activity for a few weeks, with recovery usually occurring within that timeframe.
Back injuries are particularly problematic because you might not be able to see or feel a potential injury immediately after a fall. Some injuries don’t show up right away and may only be visible through diagnostic imaging like MRI or X-rays. Always seek medical attention after a fall, no matter how minor you think your injury might be.
Why and When to Seek Medical Care After a Fall
Getting the right diagnosis is crucial to recovering from a back injury. When you visit a doctor after a fall, they will likely perform tests to diagnose your injuries and ask how the injury occurred. Once diagnosed, a treatment plan can be put in place to help with your recovery.
While medical attention is important to minimize long-term back injuries, it is also vital for any personal injury claim. Seek medical attention immediately and keep thorough records and copies of all medical expenses to provide to your attorney when filing a claim.
Recovering Compensation for a Back Injury in Nevada
In Nevada, fall accidents on someone else’s property are covered under premises liability law. This means the property or business owner can be held responsible for your injuries if they failed to maintain safe conditions. Property owners are required to ensure that visitors and guests are reasonably safe.
To recover damages under premises liability, you must be able to prove that the owner was negligent. This means demonstrating that they knew or should have known about the dangerous conditions that resulted in your injuries and did not take proper steps to remove the danger or warn visitors.
To recover compensation, you’ll need to establish the following:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care while on their property or business
- The defendant failed to uphold that duty of care
- Your back injury was a direct result of that failure
- You suffered actual losses because of your back injury
The Richard Harris Law Firm is often hired to prove negligence since meeting these standards requires thorough investigation and evidence gathering. Our firm has helped clients recover billions of dollars over 40 years in Las Vegas.
Why Back Injury Cases From Falls Can Be Challenging
What would a reasonable person do? This is a question that is often central to fall cases, and the answer can be subjective. Did the business owner keep the premises reasonably safe? Did the owner know about the dangerous conditions that caused your injuries?
Property owners are not required to notify guests or patrons of obvious hazards. For example, if there is an active fire and you enter the building anyway, then slip on water left by firefighters, you might not win your case because the hazard could be considered obvious to an average person.
Proving that an owner or business knew or should have known about dangerous conditions can be difficult. You and your attorney need evidence like surveillance videos, photographs, witness statements, and any other documentation that supports your case.
Because these back injury cases can be demanding to prove, working with a lawyer who handles slip and fall cases may increase your chances of getting the settlement you deserve. The Richard Harris Law Firm has experience in fall cases and has been working with Nevada clients for over 40 years.
Get the Legal Help You Need for Your Back Injury
Our team will investigate your case and determine if the defendant had any violations—like code enforcement issues—that contributed to your injuries. Every case is different, and business owners and property owners will have insurance investigators and lawyers on their side. As the victim, you deserve the same level of representation.
If you were injured in a fall that resulted in a back injury, call our offices today. We will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long After a Fall Can Back Pain Appear?
Back pain from a fall may not appear immediately and can develop hours or even days after the incident. This delayed onset is common with soft tissue injuries, herniated discs, and inflammation-related pain. Because of this, you should always seek medical evaluation after a fall, even if you feel fine initially.
What Evidence Do I Need to Prove a Property Owner Was Negligent?
To prove negligence in a fall case, you’ll need evidence showing the dangerous condition existed and that the property owner knew or should have known about it. Helpful evidence includes photographs of the hazard, surveillance video footage, incident reports filed with the property, witness statements, and your medical records documenting the injury.
Can I Recover Compensation if I Fell at a Casino or Hotel in Las Vegas?
Yes, casinos and hotels in Las Vegas have a legal duty to maintain safe premises for guests. If you fell due to a hazardous condition like a wet floor without warning signs, uneven carpeting, or poor lighting, the property may be liable for your injuries. Report the incident to security immediately and request a copy of the incident report.
What Compensation Can I Recover for a Back Injury From a Fall?
If you prove the property owner was negligent, you may recover compensation for medical expenses (including future treatment), lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life. The amount depends on the severity of your injury, the extent of your financial losses, and the circumstances of your case.
Should I Accept a Settlement Offer From the Property Owner’s Insurance?
You should consult with a personal injury attorney before accepting any settlement offer. Insurance companies often make quick, lowball offers hoping you’ll settle before understanding the full extent of your injuries. Back injuries can require ongoing treatment, and an early settlement may not cover your long-term medical needs.
