Heather Childers of Fox News spoke up about her frightening and life-changing story this week. You may know her from Fox & Friends First and she has been off the air for quite some time but has now shared details about why she was missing for so long. Surprisingly, it was due to a medical emergency caused by a car accident which occurred many years before.
In July, Childers was hosting an episode of the show when she started feeling sharp shooting pains in the side of her head. She thought she would ignore the pain and go home, but then it started getting worse. She got an MRI of her brain and then her neck. Her doctors came back with some terrifying news – she had a medical condition she never even heard of called cervical spinal stenosis with myelopathy. This means that her spinal cord was being dangerously compressed in her neck. Because of the vast compression, she was at risk of becoming completely paralyzed.
The compression in her spine surprised her, but what surprised her even more was how she obtained it: Her doctors determined that it was due to injuries she suffered in a car crash that she was involved in when she was 16 years old. She received injuries to her head and neck in that accident. She had a variety of symptoms since then that she never linked to the car accident or her disorder.
Luckily, Heather Childers is recovering and is back to normal activities, but this story speaks volumes on how everybody should receive medical treatment following a car accident, and speak to an attorney, even if you believe the injuries might only be minor in nature.
If you’ve been injured in an accident in New York, you may be able to receive financial compensation to help with your recovery and the cost of your medical expenses and lost income.
Receiving Medical Treatment Following an Accident
When is it time to seek medical treatment in the event of an accident? The truth is, the symptoms of a serious injury might not be immediately visible. Furthermore, something that didn’t seem like a big deal might turn into a catastrophic problem down the road even when it seemed like nothing more than whiplash. There are two significant reasons to seek medical treatment immediately following your accident:
- The longer you hold off on treatment, the more difficult it might be to relate any injuries you are diagnosed with to the accident. The insurance adjuster in your case might challenge the case or your injuries, arguing that the injuries obviously weren’t that serious or you would have gone to the hospital.
- Also, as demonstrated by Heather Childers’ story, you might put your well-being at risk if you hold off on treatment, especially if you are balancing a life-threatening condition that you may be unaware of.
After a car accident, you might feel symptoms like pain, dizziness, and numbness in certain areas. These are signs that it is time to see a doctor. If your doctor diagnoses you with an injury, you should always follow their care instructions when it comes to treatment, whether this involves medication or surgery. From there, it is best to document the treatment you receive so that you can file for the compensation you deserve from the liable party in your car accident case.
You might be concerned about finances or the physical pain you are feeling following an accident, but you don’t want to delay when it comes to treatment. Take it from Heather Childers and many others who have dealt with a serious injury – seeking treatment and starting your recovery are some of the best steps to move forward.
After an accident in New York, your health should be your primary concern. Antin, Ehrlich & Epstein, LLP will give you the personal attention you deserve and work with you to ensure your health and wealth are cared for in the long-term.
Call 1877-MYATTORN-EY or visit us on the web at AEELAW.COM