Imagine browsing through the aisles of your favorite store only to be tripped by a item left on the floor or fall due to you losing your footing from a wet spot. Experiencing a slip-and-fall injury can be a stressful and traumatic event for anyone. Falling in public can create confusion and embarrassment as well as uncertainty and fear. If your receive an injury from a slip and fall in a public place you will likely have several questions and wonder who to call and who will help cover your unexpected medical costs and loss of wages. A slip and fall injury is a very scary thought. You may not even realize that you’re injured until after you’re up and away from the scene of the slip and fall. Then what are your options and choices? If you’re a victim of such an incident, there are a few steps you must take to ensure that you will be fairly compensated by the negligent owners of the premises who may have violated the law.
Answering the many questions and addressing the concerns you have is not always easy in slip and fall cases. Enlisting the help of an experienced slip-and-fall lawyer is the first step to getting the help and compensation you may need during this trying time. If you ever find yourself in a situation that requires you to deal with some of the more challenging issues of a slip and fall situation here is a simple checklist to help you navigate.
1. Call 911.
Calling 911 alerts the authorities that you’ve been involved in an accident that has caused an injury on someone else’s property. This is important for record-keeping purposes if you need to file an insurance claim. Police reports will ensure your injury and incident is recorded and verified by authorities. Calling 911 also assures that you get appropriate medical attention and that your injuries can be treated and not develop into more serious issues right away.
2. Avoid speaking to anyone employed by the facility.
Do not discuss any facts or opinions with the business manager or property owner. You should simply exchange contact information. Admitting your own guilt or making statements about what happened can lead to you making statements that can be used against you. This is in the event that your slip-and-fall injury goes to a court and can cause a challenge for your slip-and-fall lawyer.
3. Compile copies of your incident reports.
Ask for a copy of the incident report. It is most likely created by the store manager or employees. An incident report covers all the information that plays a key role in your slip-and-fall injury. Many businesses have policies that require incident and accident reports; these should be available to you as a party involved in the incident. They will help you to recall exactly what happen and give you information you need that you may have forgotten to get prior to leaving.
4. Get contact information from any witnesses and take many photographs.
Make sure you get contact information from any witnesses of the accident. These people may be needed during the trial. Witnesses can be a crucial component of your case and can corroborate your statements just in case the responsible party is objecting to cover any compensation you may require from loss of wages or unexpected medical costs. In a digital world it is also recommended that take many photographs of the dangerous condition that caused your slip and fall. Smartphones can be very convenient here as you can also take relevant short videos of how employees and managers interacted with you during the incident. Pictures and video also give your slip-and-fall lawyer insight into the best approach.
5. Contact a slip-and-fall lawyer.
As soon as possible, contact a slip-and-fall lawyer at a personal injury law firm to discuss your case. The longer you wait after the incident to contact a lawyer, the lower your chances of winning your case. Important evidence may be destroyed, such as surveillance videos that show the accident. Witnesses may become unavailable. If you believe your slip and fall will cause to you be out of work for an extended period it is important to take notes to ensure your remember relevant facts.
