Close call

[Lisa W]

On Friday, after work and before I picked up the kids, I stopped at a local bookstore to pick up a surprise for the kids. While I was browsing in the children's section, I was suddenly and violently thrown into the bookcase in front of me and had the entire wall bookcase fall on me from behind. When everything stopped falling and I got my bearings, I was trapped with my right leg under a metal cabinet behind me. Apparently, a truck outside in the parking lot had come through the outside wall and I was directly in front of it. I was trapped for about 15 minutes --- the longest 15 minutes of my life! I was taken to the hospital only because my blood pressure was up pretty high and I'm on medication for that. I was only in for an hour and was released.

My physical injuries are pretty minor --- fat lip, swollen nose, bruises all over my body, but no broken bones or cuts. My back and neck are extremely sore --- I'll be seeing my doctor in the next day or two. Emotionally..... well, it's hard not to think "what if". What if I had the kids with me, what if someone else's kids were in that section, what if she was going faster..... It's really hard to get the image out of my head too. But, as with anyone in an accident, I'm sure that's common and will eventually go away........

[foodlady]

Oh my goodness, Lisa! What a terrifying experience! I'm sure it will take some time to recover. Be patient with yourself...thank goodness you're okay.

[momqat]

(((((Lisa)))))

What a nightmare -- I can't even imagine! :eek:
So glad your injuries were "minor". Heal soon...

[jmarie]

Wow! What a frightening experience! I am so glad that you weren't hurt worse than you were! I hope that you are feeling better soon!
Joyce

[615bride]

(((Lisa))) That sounds really scary. I'm glad it turned out okay (relatively speaking).

[mbrogier]

Lisa, I can't imagine going through that! I'm glad you weren't seriously injured. I hope your bruises heal quickly, and there isn't anything wrong with your back and neck. Are you going to get any money from the bookstore's insurance?? I would think at least they'd give you say, a $1,000 gift cheque... :p

[imloulou]

Holy Moley! You were VERY LUCKY!!!!!! I hope you can shake off the "what-ifs" soon. (I know that is easier said than done but I hope they go away soon). I am so glad to hear you are physically ok!

[SusanL]

How are you feeling now? Sometimes after an accident like that you have complications. Hope you are feeling better!!

[SueK]

Lisa - I'm so glad to hear your injuries weren't more severe. I can't even imagine how terrifying it must have been for you.

((Take care)). Sending good thoughts your way that you heal quickly physically, and are okay emotionally as well.

[Kay Henderson]

LIsa --

Holy cow! That is really bizarre. Makes you think about how life can change instantly.

Do keep us posted. Here's hoping you are feeling much less sore very soon.

Kay

[Gumbeaux]

WOW! I am glad that you weren't hurt any more than you were. :eek:

It seems like the bookshelf should have been bolted to the wall or floor. Maybe it was.

I would be sure to talk to an attorney. Do you have a friend that is an attorney that you could talk to "casually" about your situation? I have had a couple of friends that got hurt and didn't do anything legally because they thought that they were "just sore and shaken up" and that their injuries were "really nothing". After months went by, their pain didn't subside and they had to miss more work than they thought they would and insurance didn't pay anywhere near what it should have. I am not suggesting that you be litigious but I do think that you should do everything you can to protect yourself and what you will be able to do for your family in the future.

You are in my prayers.

Robert

[tamawrite]

Lisa, I can't imagine going through that! I'm glad you weren't seriously injured. I hope your bruises heal quickly, and there isn't anything wrong with your back and neck. Are you going to get any money from the bookstore's insurance?? I would think at least they'd give you say, a $1,000 gift cheque... :p

Actually, the truck driver's insurance ought to be paying for your injuries as well as the damage to the bookstore. It is...right???

[Peggy]

OMG!! :eek: How incredibly scary! How lucky that you don't seem to have major injuries. Take care.

Peggy

[gertdog]

Wow, Lisa, that sounds incredibly scary. I am so glad you weren't more severely hurt, and I wish you a quick recovery from your injuries!

[Gecko]

Lisa I am so glad that you are OK - what a horrible experience for you. Was the driver just not paying attention, or hit the gas instead of the brake? It certainly could have been a tragedy had there been little children running around. Let us know what the doctor says, but you will probably be sore for a couple of weeks.

[Beth]

Yes, the liability would be with the truck driver. You have time to see what if anything you are concerned about for the future. Take care of yourself first, see how things heal. That should be your concern right now.

I understand how long even seconds can be. When that granite fell on my leg last fall, it seemed like forever before DH came around the corner to help me.

You know, falling books can hurt enough themselves, but they may have also helped keep the shelving from hitting you more directly -- absorbed some of the impact and weight. You may get more sore or stiff for a few days before things get better. Take it easy.

Glad you are okay -- you must be doing something right. ;)

[VictoriaL]

Lisa, take care of yourself for a few more days. Often the appearance of certain injuries can be "delayed". A friend in a motorcycle accident was fine and went back to work the day after, but the next day he could barely move. My MIL was in a bad car accident and claimed to be okay, but two weeks later(!) she couldn't get out of bed without severe back pain. Apparently a couple of vertebrae were "partially cracked" in the accident, and a simple motion many days later "finished" the injury.

Be careful.

[lindrusso]

So glad to hear you're okay.

I'll bet that once the shock wears off, the "what ifs" will be more easily drowned out by the "I'm gratefuls". Experiences like this also have a way of putting other things in life into perspective. Once it's not so fresh in your mind, you can make it work for you instead of against you.

[Robyn1007]

Having been in a fairly minor car accident last summer I would definitley say, wait, see how you feel a day, a week, a month from now. You most certainly have a claim and don't ignore it! Make sure you document everything!

Robyn

[mbrogier]

Being one of the most accident prone people of all time, I'll tell you the third day is the worst. The 4th and 5th aren't so hot either. :rolleyes: You're not a wimp if you don't feel so hot next week. If something doesn't feel right, get it checked out. You're definitely entitled to compensation, and there isn't anything wrong with you collecting on it. I can imagine that whoever drove through the wall is beside themselves right now, but that's what their insurance is for.

[Canice]

Scary! I'm glad you came out of the incident OK and that there were no kidlets around at the time. I have to say, my first thought was that you had been in an earthquake, and for a split-second wondered why I hadn't heard about it. Never would have thought of such a strange accident!
I was rear-ended a couple of years ago and had minor pain in my neck shortly thereafter; in reporting the accident to my insurance company, I said that I had pain in my neck but that it was not extreme or immobilizing but wanted in my file in case it should worsen over time. In the next week I got two calls from the agency handling the guy who hit me, both regarding the reported neck pain. I was totally fine, but just wanted that immediate pain reported in my file, Just in Case it were to worsen over the coming days.

[honeygirl1971]

Actually, the truck driver's insurance ought to be paying for your injuries as well as the damage to the bookstore. It is...right???

Not necessarily, it totally depends on the laws in your state. In some places, if the bookstore is deemed partially at fault (say, if the bookcases weren't as secure as they should be), they are liable for part of the damages, and if you don't include them in your lawsuit you won't recover the full amount. I agree with the others who say document everything AND consult a lawyer soon! There are varying time limits for different kinds of claims.

All that having been said, I'm sorry this very frightening thing happened to you! And I'm glad the injuries don't appear to be more serious. Take care of yourself!

[Escher]

Lisa, I can't imagine going through that! I'm glad you weren't seriously injured. I hope your bruises heal quickly, and there isn't anything wrong with your back and neck. Are you going to get any money from the bookstore's insurance?? I would think at least they'd give you say, a $1,000 gift cheque... :p

That's sick.
Why should the bookstore be responsible? Why do thoughts immediately turn to profiting from such a situation? The only person "responsible" should be the driver.

And if her injuries are on the whole minor (as it seems they are), how 'bout just being thankful it turned out so well?

I just _love_ those who would try any angle to sue. I guess the bookstore should build titaniam shelves just in case they have meteorite hit the building.

<shaking head sadly>

[Escher]

Not necessarily, it totally depends on the laws in your state. In some places, if the bookstore is deemed partially at fault (say, if the bookcases weren't as secure as they should be), they are liable for part of the damages, and if you don't include them in your lawsuit you won't recover the full amount. I agree with the others who say document everything AND consult a lawyer soon! There are varying time limits for different kinds of claims.


Yes! Sue everyone! Sue the driver! Sue the bookstore! Sue the tire manufacturer! I think those books should have rounded edges-sue the publishers! Sue the authors...if they didn't write so much, their book would be smaller!
Sue! Sue! Sue!

LisaW: I'm glad you are ok on the whole. After a few days, you'll have a good story to tell over coffee. While talking to a lawyer might be a good idea in case you have a serious injury, I hope you don't try to profit out of this situation. (and be careful--lawyers will try to talk you into a suit-as it profits _them_!)

[greysangel]

Yes! Sue everyone! Sue the driver! Sue the bookstore! Sue the tire manufacturer! I think those books should have rounded edges-sue the publishers! Sue the authors...if they didn't write so much, their book would be smaller!
Sue! Sue! Sue!



Thanks Escher..this gave me a good chuckle this morning. :D

[Laura]

LisaW: I'm glad you are ok on the whole. After a few days, you'll have a good story to tell over coffee. While talking to a lawyer might be a good idea in case you have a serious injury, I hope you don't try to profit out of this situation. (and be careful--lawyers will try to talk you into a suit-as it profits _them_!)


Yes, this is true. It would really help me to send my daughter to NYU if I could just get more people to sue. ;)

[Escher]

What type of practice, Laura? (Sorry for the broad brush)

[jmarie]

I am not advocating a lawsuit. However, having said that, I would suggest that you not sign off on anything until it is perfectly clear that you do not have any injuries that are going to show up a little later. When my mom fell, the first X-rays showed nothing, apparently taken at the wrong angle or something....but when she continued to get worse rather than better, the MRI showed a fracture of the vertebrate that required a cementing procedure.

Escher, sometimes, you have to hire an attorney just to get the insurance companies to talk to you. It is clear that someone is responsible for this accident. What if that person who cause the accident doesn't have automobile insurance but does have other assets....is it fair for the injured to have to pay for any medical expenses incurred as a result of shopping for books? My cousin had to hire an attorney because her own insurance company said that they weren't going to pay...long story there, but the insurance company paid.

I agree that the book store is not responsible, but clearly, someone is.

Escher, sometimes your calm, cool, scathing logic just doesn't fly.
Joyce

[Laura]

What type of practice, Laura? (Sorry for the broad brush)


Hey, I was not offended. There are definitely lawyers out there who will do this. I can't be of assistance anyway, as I am having to take the CO bar since they won't accept my CA bar license that has been inactive for the past 5 years. Go figure.

Back to the real subject at hand - Lisa, I can't imagine how frightening the experience must have been. I am glad you came away relatively unscathed.

[honeygirl1971]

Yes! Sue everyone! Sue the driver! Sue the bookstore! Sue the tire manufacturer! I think those books should have rounded edges-sue the publishers! Sue the authors...if they didn't write so much, their book would be smaller!
Sue! Sue! Sue!


Don't blame the messenger. I'm not a lawyer and I didn't vote for any of the proportional liability propositions etc in any of the states I lived in. The proportional liability reforms usually end up benefitting insurance companies, not plaintiffs. I just wanted to say that if you have medical bills and you don't talk to a lawyer about how liability works in your state, you might have trouble getting your bills completely covered, depending on what the law is in your state.

I hope this is all moot, in any case, and you (Lisa) don't end up needing any additional medical treatment!

[Beth]

OMG. Esher has been reading my mind. :p

Folks, stuff happens and suing is not as easy and pain free as some folks would have you believe. Save it for when you need it. If you really need it, kick butt and take names. The rest of the time, get on with your life and be a happier person.

[honeygirl1971]

Beth, for the record, I don't think ANYONE here told Lisa she should sue. I don't think anyone here said litigation is easy and pain-free either. Those of us who aren't telling her NOT to sue are just saying she should get documentation of any medical diagnosis treatment for her own records, and IF she needs to get someone to cover her bills, she should talk to a lawyer before signing away her rights. To me, that's just common sense. Get documentation, get informed. "Being a happier person" isn't necessarily the best way to treat a medical problem. :rolleyes:

[Laura]

Don't blame the messenger. I'm not a lawyer and I didn't vote for any of the proportional liability propositions etc in any of the states I lived in. The proportional liability reforms usually end up benefitting insurance companies, not plaintiffs. I just wanted to say that if you have medical bills and you don't talk to a lawyer about how liability works in your state, you might have trouble getting your bills completely covered, depending on what the law is in your state.

I hope this is all moot, in any case, and you (Lisa) don't end up needing any additional medical treatment!

Of course, all of this could be moot since Lisa lives in Canada.

[honeygirl1971]

Actually, this can be an issue in Canada too. A lawyer could say whether or not it would apply in this case.

[lmenichel]

Wow!!! I'm so glad to hear you are ok. That is truly an amazing story. You must have a wonderful guardian angel!!!

Your story kind of reminds me (although I'm by no means trying to compare you to someone else) of a story on Oprah a year or two ago. I think it happened in Chicago? A truck pushed a car/SUV underneath another truck on the highway. The driver of the car that was pinned underneath the truck was ok! It was truly a miracle!

[ClaraB]

Actually, this can be an issue in Canada too. A lawyer could say whether or not it would apply in this case.Keep in mind, honeygirl, that in Canada medical bills are covered 100% by Medicare (although I have to admit I'm a bit fuzzy about physical therapy costs), so you can't sue to recover those costs.

Lisa, that must have been an absolutely terrifying experience - I hope you're feeling better soon. I had a similar experience last year (although I wasn't hurt) - I was browsing in a bookstore when a car plowed through the front corner of the store, damaging a wall and shattering a plate glass window. It was absolutely surreal and pretty scary, too, although no one was hurt. In that case the man driving the car had hit the gas instead of the brake :rolleyes: . He was also quite elderly, and quite frankly, shouldn't have been driving to begin with. This type of incident has happened several times in our small city in the last few years, but fortunately, no one has been seriously injured. Just don't get me started on the issue of those elderly drivers who are a menace on the road (or the parking lot) :mad: .

[honeygirl1971]

Keep in mind, honeygirl, that in Canada medical bills are covered 100% by Medicare (although I have to admit I'm a bit fuzzy about physical therapy costs), so you can't sue to recover those costs.



If EVERYTHING (physical therapy, chiropractors, psychologists, etc) is 100% covered that is awesome!! France has socialized health care too and it is very good, but it doesn't cover everything 100%. Most people here have supplemental private insurance as well.

[colleency]

(((Lisa))) I'm so glad you're okay. Don't forget to take some healing quiet time for yourself, if you can manage it.

[Lisa W]

Well, I got out to see my family doctor yesterday and he has referred me to physiotherapy. Other than the muscle/cervical strain and some bumps and bruises, I'm doing fine. My blood pressure is up so he had to increase my medication a bit..... I'm hopeful that will go down again in time....

We're doing a bit of laughing about it now..... you know, good thing it wasn't in the cookbook or selfhelp section, as they are mostly large hardcover! And I ALWAYS increase the estimated amount of books that fell on me.... I think I'm up to 8000..... ;) Gotta laugh ----- and get rid of those "what ifs".

I work for insurance adjusters so I've been in contact with my co-worker. He's been talking to the emergency clean up crew. It looks like the lady that drove through the wall had enough speed on to get her over the curb/sidewalk and the few feet of concrete blocks that run the base of the store. That's why she came through the wall so easily --- it was just frame, not concrete. We still don't know what happened --- if it was mechanical or what.

Thanks for all your advice and concerns...... I've been taking it easy and I'm feeling much better.

[Escher]

I've been taking it easy and I'm feeling much better.

In the end, that's what matters. Glad to hear you'll be able to walk away from such an unexpected event!

[Beth]

Lisa, I have been told that pain and injury can increase your blood pressure, so that I would expect yours to calm down as the injury calms down.

You should be getting past the worst of the stifness and even the bruises should start impriving, so it should be all uphill now. Glad you're feeling better.