What Happens If I’m Injured During an Outdoor Activity?
Whether it’s hiking, swimming at the lake, or just spending some time in the sun, we all love to get outdoors and take part in some recreational activities.
Though it isn’t the outcome we like to think about, there is always some risk when you’re engaging in an outdoor activity, particularly if you’re out for a hike.
Being prepared is one of the best steps you can take to ensure that if any injury does arise, you have everything you need. Make sure you hike in groups or, if you’re venturing off on a solo trek, make sure someone knows where you are, what route you’re planning to take, and how long you think you will be. While you may be lucky enough to have cellphone reception throughout your hike, there’s no guarantee and people need to be able to find you even if they can’t reach you over the phone.
If you find yourself injured while outdoors, the first step is to remain calm and assess the situation. You should evaluate the severity of your injury and determine whether it requires immediate attention. If you experience immediate swelling and severe pain, there’s a meaningful chance that you’ve suffered a fracture and prompt medical attention is a must. Listen to your body and do not try to “walk it off” as you may well make things worse.
In the event you’re injured while out on a hike, you may be able to seek compensation from the people or organizations responsible for maintaining the area where you fell (known as “occupiers”). However, if the injury occurred on land where a municipality is the occupier, you will need to act quickly as you have only 10 days to notify the municipality of your intention to commence a claim. While missing this 10-day period may not be fatal to your claim, it is better to be safe than sorry.
It also important that you take photos of the area where you fell, provided it is safe to do so and does not interfere with getting medical attention. Medical treatment should always take first priority.
You will also want to preserve the shoes or boots you were wearing when the injury occurred, as they are likely to be critical pieces of evidence in your claim.
Being well prepared is the best thing you can do to avoid injuries outdoors. But if the worst should happen, it’s important to remember the potential 10-day notice window and to preserve whatever evidence you can gather. Taking these steps will give you the best possible chance of success in the event you have to start litigation as a result of your injuries.
