How To Get Compensation For Medical Bills After A Drowning Accident

Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death across the United States, but most drownings are non-fatal. However, even when a drowning incident doesn’t end in death, recovery does not always end after resuscitation. Even when survivors seem fine, risks abound.

Here are five steps you should take to protect your finances after an accident:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Non-fatal drowning accidents are associated with short- and long-term complications including, but not limited to the following:

1. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS);
2. Bacterial infection;
3. Brain damage from oxygen deprivation;
4. Pneumonia; and
5. Post-traumatic stress disorder.

Seeing the doctor immediately after an accident minimizes the risk of missing any serious complications. Even if you leave with a big bill, you may have options for recovery—but it is much harder to win a personal injury lawsuit if you do not have evidence that you were injured.

2. File a Formal Accident Report

You should file a formal incident report with the property owner once you’re out of harm’s way. An incident report will typically contain the following types of information:

1. Your name;
2. The victim’s name or initials;
3. The time, date, and location of the accident;
4. The circumstances of the accident; and
5. Whether the accident resulted in injury or death.

Different properties have different protocols, and you may receive an incident report form. In either case, keep your account as formal and concise as possible. Try to avoid speculation, and do not volunteer or offer unnecessary information.

If you have not already contacted a lawyer about your New York drowning incident, you may want to schedule a consultation. Filing an accident report may seem like a relatively straightforward task but insurance companies and defense attorneys will sometimes scour these statements for any error that could be construed as an admission of partial liability.

3. Preserve Records and Protect Other Evidence

If you have cause to file a personal injury lawsuit or a premises liability claim, you should be prepared for every possibility. It might be unfair, but you should expect that almost any assertion you make will be challenged. You can work to minimize uncertainty by keeping close tabs on any potential evidence. This could include:

1. Receipts for paid co-pays and deductibles;
2. Diagnostic reports and other hospital records;
3. Paid medical transportation fees; and
4. Paid out-of-pocket medical expenses.

You don’t have to panic if you don’t know where to start. Aside from helping you draft your initial claim, your personal injury lawyer could help you evaluate your expenses and assess your damages.

4. Do Not Give in to Pressure

If you have a compelling claim, you may be presented with an offer of settlement much sooner than you expect. However, these early overtures are not always as generous as they seem: an initial offer could provide sufficient compensation to cover your existing medical expenses, but outright fail to account for your long-term needs or your non-economic damages.

Do not give in to pressure, and don’t rush into signing away your rights.

5. Have an Attorney Assess Your Damages

Your right to recovery goes beyond your medical bills. You could be entitled to damages for losses including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Your existing medical expenses;
2. Your anticipated care needs;
3. Lost income from work;
4. Diminished earning potential; and
5. Pain and suffering.

Since our founding in 2005, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has helped our clients obtain more than $175 million in damages. We could help you, too. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation as soon as possible.