After a fall
Falls often cause sprains and strains in the low back, neck injuries from the jolt, and injuries to the hips, knees and shoulders from catching yourself. Report the fall to the property owner or manager, take photos if you can, and get evaluated.
How we help
- A full exam of every area that hurts
- Imaging when indicated
- A care plan to reduce pain and restore movement
- Records you can share with your insurer or attorney
What should I do in the first hour after a fall on someone else's property?
Make sure you are safe, then report the fall to the owner, manager or staff before you leave, and ask that a written incident report be made. Photograph the spot that caused the fall, your shoes and any visible injury, and get names and phone numbers from anyone who saw it happen.
Conditions change quickly. A spill gets mopped, a loose mat gets straightened, a burned out light gets replaced. Photos taken in the moment often show things that no one can recreate later, such as the lack of a warning cone, water tracked in from a doorway, or a step edge that blends into the floor.
Keep what you were wearing, keep receipts showing you were there, and write down the time, the weather and what you were doing when you fell. If a store has security cameras, mention that when you report the fall. Then get your injuries checked, even if the pain seems manageable.
- Report the fall and ask for a copy or the number of the incident report
- Photograph the hazard, the area around it and your injuries
- Collect witness names and contact information
- Avoid guessing about fault or saying you are fine before you have been examined
How do premises injury claims generally work in Texas?
In general, Texas law asks what duty the property owner owed you and whether that duty was breached. For customers of a business, the owner is usually expected to warn about or fix a dangerous condition it knew about, or reasonably should have discovered through ordinary inspection. An attorney can explain how that applies to you.
Texas courts sort visitors into categories. A customer at a store, restaurant or apartment office is usually treated as an invitee, the group owed the most care. A social guest is often treated as a licensee, and in that situation a claim generally depends on showing the owner actually knew about the danger. Trespassers are owed far less.
Many cases turn on how long a hazard was present and whether it posed an unreasonable risk. That is one reason the details you capture at the scene matter. None of this is legal advice, and only an attorney who reviews your facts can tell you whether you have a claim.
Does it change things if I fell on city, county or school property?
It can. Claims against a Texas governmental unit fall under the Texas Tort Claims Act, which generally requires written notice of the claim within six months after the incident, and some cities set their own notice periods by charter or ordinance. If you fell on public property, talk to an attorney soon.
Public sidewalks, city buildings, public school campuses and county facilities can all fall into this category. The general two year Texas limitations period for personal injury lawsuits still exists, but the separate notice requirement can come much sooner, which is why waiting to see how you feel can cost you options.
We do not advise on deadlines, but we can make sure your first visit is documented clearly and promptly so your attorney has the medical side ready when they need it.
Which injuries show up most often after a slip or trip?
Falls commonly strain the low back, jolt the neck and injure the wrists, shoulders, hips and knees you land on or catch yourself with. Some people also hit their head. Pain may start right away or build over a day or two as muscles tighten and inflammation sets in.
A backward fall onto the tailbone or buttocks can irritate the lower back and pelvis. A forward fall often loads the wrists, elbows and shoulders. Twisting as you go down can sprain an ankle or knee and strain the muscles along the spine. Older adults are at higher risk for fractures, so imaging decisions matter.
If you hit your head and develop a worsening headache, confusion, repeated vomiting, unusual drowsiness or weakness on one side, go to an emergency room first. Our providers focus on the musculoskeletal side of recovery once serious injuries have been ruled out or treated.
How does Spine Health & Wellness document a fall injury?
We record how the fall happened in your own words, where it hurts, what you can no longer do comfortably, and what we find on orthopedic and neurological testing. Imaging is ordered when it is indicated. Each visit notes your progress so the record shows the full course of your recovery.
Consistent notes help everyone involved understand your care: you, your other doctors, your health insurer, and your attorney if you choose to hire one. We release records only with your written authorization.
If you have pain in more than one area, tell us about all of it at the first visit, including the areas that seem minor. Symptoms left out of an early record can be harder to connect to the fall later, and a complete picture also helps us plan the right care.
How is care for a fall injury usually paid for?
It depends on where you fell and what coverage exists. Many patients start with their own health insurance. Some property owners carry medical payments coverage that can help regardless of fault, and some claims involve the owner's liability insurer. An attorney can explain what may apply, and we can review payment options with you.
Liability claims usually resolve after treatment is finished, which can be months away. That gap is why it helps to sort out payment before your first visit rather than after the bills arrive. Call (972) 556-5667 and tell us the fall happened on someone else's property.
Frequently asked questions
Should I see a doctor after a fall at a store even if I only feel sore?
What if the store manager says the fall was my fault?
Can I still recover if I was partly responsible for my fall in Texas?
Is a fall at an apartment complex handled like a fall at a store?
What if I fell at a friend's house?
How long do I have to deal with a slip and fall claim in Texas?
Can I bring my photos and incident report to my first appointment?
Do falls at work belong on this page?
This page is general information, not legal advice. For questions about a claim, talk to an attorney or the agency that handles your claim.