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Story of my life!

I slipped last friday on ice at my apartment complex. well my foot hurt more(the same one I broke last june) and I had a dr appt for today to have it checked out. I did not go to the ER or anything cause i never fell to the ground and everything felt ok enough to wait. I guess I had broken some of the bones. I am back in the boot.

Now comes the hard part. I am still a good $2000 in debt from the last time I fell and dont want to think about how much more is getting added on. Should I sue the apartment complex? They filed an "insurance" claim already and the adjuster has told me they have a $1000 limit. I know it is against the law for them to do anything to me if I do, but I feel bad.

Re: Story of my life!

  • Elle1036Elle1036 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Aw, I'm sorry you're hurt.

    And I understand the stress of being in debt and the high cost of medical care, but seriously don't sue the apartment complex.  Ice happens.  It's not their fault.
  • SKP82SKP82 member
    2500 Comments Second Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Well, that is exactly why they have insurance.  I would think it is their responsibility to clear the ice from walkways.  If a person was walking on the sidewalk outside of my house and fell and broke something due to ice I did not clear from my sidewalk, they could sue me.  It is a liability issue.

    I am not encouraging you to sue (people are way to sue happy), but if you feel as though they should cover your medical bills, you should seek compensation for the expenses you incur.
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  • edited December 2011
    If you really cant' afford it, that walk should have had salt on it or something. You could get them to pay for it, I'm sure.

    Anyways, I'm really sorry your foot is broken AGAIN!! Not only is that probably no fun, but it also is probably pretty stressful. Hopefully the bills will be nice to you. I'll be praying for you!
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  • Elle1036Elle1036 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Ok, Molly, I'm pretty sure I jinxed myself by telling you not to sue.

    I just walked outside to let my dog out and busted my ass on the frozen stairs.  What the eff?  When did they ice over?  I was out there two hours ago and it was fine.  Also, last week it was 80 degrees here.

    Frickin' ice.
  • edited December 2011
    molly -

    a couple years ago i racked up about $10,000 in medical debt (ER visit, kidney stones that they thought were ruptured ovarian cysts so they didn't do the right test and racked up MORE debt, etc.).  where i live you can apply for medical debt forgiveness (a portion or all of it).  you have to provide proof that you can't pay it (W-2, monthly expenses, monthly income, etc.).

    i applied for it and they forgave everything except for $350 of it.  i encourage you to try that before suing.  it was a very easy process and i couldn't believe they forgave all of it, except for one bill from an anesthesiologist.
  • Blue & WhiteBlue & White member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I'd look at your lease before I attemped to sue - most apartment complexes have a policy about how LONG they have to ice/salt the walks, etc.  If it's not safe for their maintenance crews to be out, they're not required to salt the walks.

    Sounds sucky, but it is true.
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  • calindicalindi member
    5000 Comments Second Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011

    That's a tough situation.  Sorry you got hurt again!

    I don't know what is best.  Suing can create ill will with your landlord, and you might end up further in debt if they win.  Chances are they have the resources to hire a decent lawyer, so even though you have a case, you still might lose.

    Perhaps present them with the medical bills and ask them to reimburse you, since the injury was as a direct result of their negligence to maintain a safe living environment?  They'll see it as law-talk and maybe just pay your bills to avoid paying those AND a lawyer.  Chances are your bills are less than what they'd pay their legal counsel, so they might just agree.  That's what I'd do, but I don't know how good of an idea it is, so take it with a grain of salt.


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