(no subject)

[kitsunegari]

i'm curious....

yesterday while returning home from taking Sebastian to the doctor, i tripped over a hole in the footpath near my house. since then both the ankle and knee of my left leg are stiff, sore and slightly tender. i've yet to go to the doctor to have it looked at (simply due to a lack of time today), but i'm wondering how much effort would be needed in order to bring this particular piece of sidewalk to the council's attention.

if i get the medical attention it requires, can i then look at avenues of recompense (though, i'm not really after money, but if it requires physio i'm not sure how to afford it, whether i could get it on medicare or what)? the injury has reduced my ability to walk for extended preiods of time, and it's at times difficult to rest my leg in a comfortable position (because of the ankle). would it be worth my while? i have a toddler to take care of, and it means i can't search for part time work because i am unable to walk properly.

i have no other ideas on how to get council to look at this problem. a problem that has been present longer than i've been a resident.

i'm probably over stating the injury to a small degree, but i don't like underestimating damage to myself.

opinions?

til next....
~Kits~

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_amaranth__/]

You need to get it looked at, and then perhaps you could see about getting some compo or whatever.

No idea how you'd go about it.. Do you have a lawyer friend? ALWAYS helps.

[james72.livejournal.com]

Definately get it checked out. Then if you do decide to go compo because of physio etc etc you have the medical record there.

Having some experience of the compo thing, it takes freaking ages, but can end up in lots more money than the physio costs.

[goblinqueen.livejournal.com]

I feel I could provide you with a snippet of advice: You pretty much can only make a claim for occupiers liability (ie slip and fall/negligence) if you have sustained a permanent impairment (which is a whole person percentage rating - A doctor would be able to assess you on this) and if the hole in the ground is due to the council's negligence, ie if they have a duty of care, if it was breached, etc. If you are interested further see www.trilbymisso.com.au which should give you some further info. Physiotherapy is not rebatable by medicare, it is something that can only be funded through yourself, or through (if you have) private health insurance.

[ghymoreid.livejournal.com]

Though there are free physiotherapy clinics at the RBH and the Mater (I think) - it'll just take you ages to get into one. Le sigh.

[frazicus.livejournal.com]

maybe, since you havnt called them abou it yet, you should tell them that the footpath should be fixed, especially since oyu have already hurt yourself, and have the record to prove it. and that if something isnt done about it, and youre injured again, you will expect some form of compensation.

[c4c.livejournal.com]

I'm not going to offer legal advice because that's Raog's job. But I hope you're putting ice on those injuries and making Patrick do as much of the standing up/running around as possible. Is there much swelling/bruising? I can supply you with a tubi-grip if you like. The pressure helps to keep swelling down and provides a bit of support when you have to be vertical.

The ankle is really a stupid joint. It's too easy to make them bend the wrong way, and then they're so bloody inconvenient when injured. I'm quite impressed that you managed to break both knee and ankle at once though. That's rare even in netball!

[tahitianlime.livejournal.com]

Conceivably netball courts don't have holes to plonk one's foot in...

I can think of a way to fugger both the knee and ankle... an inversion injury of the ankle involving the lateral ligaments (ATLF, PTLF etc) and a twisting injury of the knee as you went down....medial or lateral collateral ligaments or a meniscal tear....

... or melodrama aside... and probably in your case....just plain old boring superficial haematomas and contusions.

PRICE is the key anyhoo

Pain relief (of the NSAID and Paracetamol/Codeine type)
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation

....and early mobilisation as tolerated....

....and if pain persists...consult your doctor.

[susan-76.livejournal.com]

I used to work for a construction company who got served lawsuits for much less. Definitely see your doctor to get written medical records and there is some ad on tv all the time about a place that you can talk to if you have been injured at work or in a public place that is on a no win no pay basis so it wouldn't hurt to give them a call and discuss. I cannot remember the name of them though - I am suffering from baby brain at the moment. I am sure you would know what that is like!!!!
Good luck - and I hope your leg feels better soon.