There is never a good time to sustain an injury, but the current situation the country is dealing with poses an unprecedented set of challenges. As we all practice social distancing, work from home, and refrain from attending our normal activities, doctor’s offices and hospitals are a different story. Emergency rooms are overrun with patients showing symptoms of the highly contagious virus, and the risk of getting infected strikes fear into the hearts of us all.
However, this doesn’t mean you should go without treatment for a serious injury. Delaying treatment will always run the risk of sustaining an aggravated injury down the line, and the pandemic does not change that fact. In this article, we’ll review your options for seeking treatment for an injury while sustaining the least risk of infection.
Remote treatment
Your first step should be to look into accessing remote treatment. Adapting to the pandemic for the safety of their patients and their staff, many doctor’s offices have begun offering virtual consultations via video chat or phone call. Don’t decide that treatment is impossible before assessing your options – call your primary care physician and see how their office handles the pandemic.
Increased protective measures
You may need to visit their office once you’ve spoken with your doctor and perhaps received medical advice via a remote appointment. Even during this pandemic, many offices are equipped to handle in person visits. No one is more aware of the severity of this virus than our medical providers, and your physician will be happy to explain the extra measures they are taking. Seeing only patients in severe need, reducing the number of patients and staff members, sanitizing between each visit, and wearing protective gear are all steps that doctor’s offices are taking to prevent the spread of the disease.
Going to the Emergency Room
Of course, making an appointment to see your normal doctor may not be possible, and you should not rule out going to the ER. A car accident, slip and fall, and other sudden injuries can cause major harm and require immediate medical attention. If you must go to an ER, be as safe as possible. Wear a mask, gloves, and stay at least 6 feet away from other patients. Remember that the care providers at the ER are very aware of the contagiousness of Coronavirus and will be taking every precaution to ensure your safety as well as theirs.
I did not receive treatment for my injury because I feared contracting Coronavirus. Is it too late to contact a personal injury attorney?
It is definitely not too late. Personal injury attorneys are here to help you, and the best thing to do is contact us so we can learn more about your situation. The attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP are working virtually and are ready to help you through your situation. Reach out to us as soon as possible so that we can conduct a virtual consultation and offer advice for your injury.