They called me yesterday at 4:30 to see how I was doing. :eek:
Well, they didn’t just call out of the blue. I went to get my license renewed yesterday, and as I was leaving, I thought I was stepping onto the handicapped ramp to go out into the parking lot, but apparently, I missed and ended up stepping off the curb. I took a fall, felt something snap in my right ankle, and went completely down. Two men came out of the DMV and helped me back in, where i sat down and waited for an ambulance (when they asked if I wanted them to call someone, I said yes, thinking I would have them call someone at work to take me to the ER, but they called an ambulance before I realized it, and it was too late to cancel it when I realized what they’d done). The manager was very nice, helped me prop my foot up, and took very good care of me.
Went to the ER, and while I didn’t break the bone, I tore a ligament in my right ankle (I’ve done it before). So I’m out of work until Friday, on crutches for at least two weeks, and my mom’s on her way here to help take care of Baby B until the weekend since I can’t really do much right now (I’m really in a shitload of pain, and it hurts to get up to go to the bathroom at this point).
So the manager called yesterday afternoon to see how I was doing. My husband was laughing because he said she’s probably afraid I’m going to sue, but seriously - how can I sue them for my own stupidity?
Your story reminds me of another story. Professor at a well known University, with whom I had dinner, told this story. While on vacation, he was playing racquetball with Someguy. Someguy swung his racquet, and hit Professor in the mouth, knocking a tooth out. (Events may be slightly more complicated than that). Both men run for the phone. Professor to call a dentist, Someguy to call his lawyer. Someguy was afraid he was going to be sued. Professor figured it was an “it could happen to anyone-type accident” , and so while he would not object to help with his dentist bills if insurance didn’t cover it, didn’t figure he’d sue.
The same way a UPS driver is persuing a workmans comp claim, claiming neglegence of care for some stair maintenance.
We do have rotten wooden stairs leading past the garden, towards the front door. We had them blocked off at the top & bottom, and have ornamental statuary on each step. Apparently he ignored all these signs, weaved his way around the objects, and somehow hurt himself… then cried foul of us.
He’s the first and only UPS to EVER try to deliver to the front door, rather than leaving the package at the garage (single family home).
He also claims to have “informed the homeowner.” Neither Mrs. Butler or I were informed, and the Butlerette isn’t even 2 yet, so she wouldn’t be the best person to “notify.”
Yeah, honestly, I have medical insurance, I’ve done this before, so I know that my ankles are kind of prone to it (although it’s never hurt THIS bad), and I am the one who misstepped. How in the world would anyone think it’s appropriate to sue for it?
I feel sorry for the manager - I’m going to send them a thank-you card for their help so I hope that’ll put her mind at ease.
This was standard practice at the retail company I used to work for. Get the facts of the accident, don’t place blame, show compassion, follow up with the person involved.
I think it’s an easy way for companies to avoid lawsuits even when it wasn’t their fault.
You fall and hurt your ankle…
Situation 1) Manager runs out, examines situation, claims “looks like you fell on your own. we’re not at fault here. see you later.” You get home with a bad ankle, decide manager acted like an ass even though it was your own fault, contact a lawyer, litigation begins.
Situation 2) Manager runs out, asks if your okay, offers assistance, gets assistance immediately, doesn’t attempt to place blame, follows up with you to see how you’re doing. A relative suggests you call a lawyer and try to milk it for some money. You decide against it since the manager was so nice to you and seemed very concerned about your well being.
It makes a lot of sense for the manager to take those actions. In Blink, by Malcolm Gladwell, a study of doctors sued for malpractice is mentioned. It turns out that the doctors who get sued aren’t necessarily bad doctors, they’re just impersonal and not particularly kind. People tend to sue when they feel they’ve been personally mistreated, regardless of the actual fault or damage.
I’m still limping a bit from tearing 2 ligaments in my left ankle a month ago. I feel your pain! Stay off it, take all the nice drugs you can, and send a card to the manager.
Oh sweet Jehosephat. I remember the pain of doing that. Stayed with me almost a year, I think. I never, ever want to experience that pain again. I was even drunk and that didn’t help. I howled like a siren.
I hope you feel better soon!
You too, silenus!
I think that maybe the two of us are twins in klutziness, Elza.
Monday night I was walking my dog in the front yard. I stepped down, and realized that the snow was deceptively deep in that spot when my left foot went a couple of extra inches and twisted underneath me. I haven’t bothered with the doctor yet (I know, I know, but I do this to myself ALL THE TIME), but I’m pretty sure that I sprained or tore something in my ankle. Crutches and ace bandages for me for at least another couple of days!
Last Easter I stepped off the curb at the grocery store and did the same thing. Only that time I landed directly on my right knee on the asphalt. Torn something-or-other according to the X-rays, and it still twinges once in awhile.
We had a lady trip over the corner of a greenhouse here (I’m not really sure how she pulled it off) and get $30k from our insurance. They’re concerened becuase it may cost them money even if you don’t have a case and decide to sue them, and if a lawyer can win a case, of their lawyers or insurance company decided to give you some money to go away it could cost them alot.
As for the ambulance, you can decline help after they get there. They’ll just have you sign something saying that you declined the help and probably tell you that you should go to the hospital anyways. If you have crappy/no covereage it would save you a few hundred dollars to get yourself there.
Last year I broke an ankle playing soccer, and the guy who owns the field who is a lawyer, said jokingly “Hey, you’re not thinking of suing me, are you?”
I replied that no, I wasn’t, not just because it was my own damn fault and that it could have happened to anyone, but that as a U.S. diplomat living abroad, not only can I not be sued, I can’t sue anyone either. Immunity works both ways – he was very surprised to hear that.
And on Saturday I broke the foot on the same leg, but I was in my own kitchen, so not much chance for a lawsuit there. Crutches and a hard cast for 3 weeks, then a walking cast and an arm crutch for 9 weeks.
Thanks! I actually did see the orthopedist today, and ended up with a walking cast, which I have to wear for about 2 weeks. Grrr…I still can’t put any weight on my foot yet, so I’m on the crutches for however long. I also managed to lose my balance when I was trying to come up the back porch and fell AGAIN, right on my ankle, so it’s hurting a bit more now. I think the walking cast threw my balance off because I tripped AGAIN (but caught myself) when I got inside.
On the plus side, my mom and I made a quick trip to Wal-Mart after the orthopedist to pick up a few groceries, and those riding carts are really fun :D.
