Question 1

What are the most important steps to take immediately after a slip and fall injury?

Accepted Answer

Report the incident to the property owner, manager, or employer immediately and request that an incident report be completed in writing. Take photographs of the hazard that caused the fall — wet floor, uneven pavement, missing handrail — before it is corrected. Collect contact information from any witnesses. Seek medical evaluation within 24 to 48 hours even if pain seems minor, as spine, hip, and wrist fractures can be underestimated at the scene. Call Mountain Spine & Orthopedics at (561) 223-9959 for same-week appointment scheduling.

Question 2

What are the statutes of limitations for slip and fall claims in FL, NJ, NY, and PA?

Accepted Answer

The filing deadlines differ significantly by state: Florida — 2 years from the date of injury (reduced from 4 years in 2023); New Jersey — 2 years from the date of injury; New York — 3 years for private premises, but only 1 year for accidents on government property, and government property claimants must also file a Notice of Claim within 90 days; Pennsylvania — 2 years from the date of injury. Early orthopedic documentation creates a contemporaneous medical record that establishes the nature, cause, and severity of your injuries.

Question 3

What is a FOOSH injury and why is it common after a slip and fall?

Accepted Answer

FOOSH stands for 'Fall Onto OutStretched Hand' — a reflex response where you extend your arms to catch yourself during a fall. FOOSH injuries commonly cause distal radius fractures (Colles fracture), scaphoid fractures, wrist ligament tears, and elbow fractures. These fractures are frequently missed on initial X-ray, particularly scaphoid injuries, which may require MRI for accurate diagnosis. If your wrist or hand hurts after a fall, ask specifically for a scaphoid protocol at your imaging appointment.

Question 4

How serious are hip fractures from a slip and fall, especially for older adults?

Accepted Answer

Hip fractures are among the most serious consequences of slip-and-fall injuries, particularly for adults over 65. They carry significant rates of surgical intervention, prolonged rehabilitation, and in fragile patients, risk of life-threatening complications. Falls are the leading cause of hip fractures in the United States. If an older adult experiences hip, groin, or thigh pain after a fall — even without an obvious deformity — imaging should be obtained the same day. Our orthopedic team coordinates urgent evaluation and inpatient or outpatient care planning as appropriate.

Question 5

Can a workplace slip and fall be covered by workers' compensation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you slip, trip, or fall while performing your job duties — including in parking lots, stairwells, or at client sites — the injury is covered by workers' compensation regardless of fault. Workers' comp pays 100% of authorized medical expenses and a portion of lost wages. In Florida, report the injury within 30 days. In NJ and PA, report it as soon as possible. In New York, your employer's WC insurer must authorize treatment, so call us to confirm authorization. Our FL, NJ, NY, and PA clinics handle workers' comp cases regularly.

Question 6

Is slip and fall treatment available on a medical lien in FL, NJ, NY, and PA?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Mountain Spine & Orthopedics offers lien-based orthopedic treatment for slip-and-fall patients pursuing premises liability claims in all four states. Under a medical lien arrangement, you receive full evaluation and care — orthopedic exam, imaging coordination, injection treatment, and surgical consultation if needed — at no upfront cost. Our fee is paid from your premises liability settlement. Call (561) 223-9959 to discuss lien eligibility during your intake call.

Question 7

What documentation does premises liability require for a slip and fall injury claim?

Accepted Answer

Strong premises liability cases require: a contemporaneous medical record documenting the type, location, and mechanism of injury; imaging reports (X-ray, MRI) confirming objective structural injuries; a written incident report filed with the property owner at the time of the fall; photographs of the hazard; witness statements; and proof the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition. Mountain Spine & Orthopedics provides detailed orthopedic reports specifically formatted for personal injury use.

Question 8

Which orthopedic injuries are most common from slip and fall accidents?

Accepted Answer

The most frequent orthopedic injuries from falls include: wrist, hand, and forearm fractures (FOOSH mechanism); hip fractures, particularly in older adults; cervical and lumbar disc herniation from axial loading on impact; shoulder labrum and rotator cuff tears from outstretched arm bracing; ankle fractures and ligament tears; and knee meniscus injuries. Spinal compression fractures may occur in patients with osteoporosis even from low-energy falls. Our board-certified specialists diagnose and treat all of these injuries across our FL, NJ, NY, and PA clinics.

Question 9

How do I know if my fall on someone's property qualifies as a premises liability case?

Accepted Answer

Premises liability generally requires proving: (1) a dangerous condition existed on the property, (2) the property owner knew or should have known about it, (3) the owner failed to correct it or warn you, and (4) that failure caused your injury. Common qualifying hazards include wet floors without warning signs, uneven pavement, broken stairs, inadequate lighting, and missing handrails. Our orthopedic documentation strengthens all four elements by objectively recording your injury and its mechanism. Consult a personal injury attorney in your state to evaluate your specific facts.

Question 10

Can Mountain Spine & Orthopedics provide expert medical testimony for slip and fall lawsuits?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons provide expert witness reports and, when necessary, courtroom or deposition testimony regarding the nature, cause, permanency, and treatment necessity of injuries. We prepare detailed narrative summaries formatted for attorney and court use. Our Philadelphia, New York City, and South Florida locations handle a high volume of personal injury cases and have established protocols for coordinating with plaintiff and defense attorneys alike.

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