What to Do If You’ve Been Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident: Steps to Take
According to the National Safety Council, falls were the number one cause of nonfatal injuries in the United States in 2020. While slips and falls may not seem to be dangerous, they can result in severe injuries and even death. If you become the victim of a slip-and-fall accident, it is important to know the next steps to take.
1. Get Medical Attention
Immediately after a slip and fall accident, you should receive medical attention. You may have hit your head or have internal injuries that are not immediately visible. A trip to the hospital will allow you to have a full workup done and treat all your injuries. Also, the evidence of you receiving medical attention immediately will help build credibility in your case.
2. Take Photos Of Where The Slip And Fall Occurred
When establishing your case, you will have to prove that there was a negligent party who did not uphold their duty of care. To assist in proving that, you will need to have photo documentation of the area of the accident when it occurred. Also note different potential causes of your fall, such as a missing “Wet Floor” sign. If you’re too injured to take the photos yourself, try to ask a friend, family member, or co-worker.
3. Report The Slip And Fall
Once the accident has occurred, you need to report the incident immediately. If you are on private property, notify the owner. If you are at a business, report it to a manager or supervisor. If you are at work, report the slip and fall to your boss. Then file an official injury report to have a record of the accident for you and the owner of the property.
4. Get Witnesses Information
If anyone witnessed the accident, they could help corroborate your telling of events leading up to the slip and fall and the accident itself. Initially, you can gather their contact information so your attorney can contact them, later on, to get their official statements to be used in your case.
5. Hire A Personal Injury Attorney
Handling a personal injury case by yourself can be time-consuming and stressful while you are also trying to focus on recuperating from your injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney can assist in gathering evidence, such as security camera footage, getting official statements from witnesses, filing your lawsuit, communicating to insurance companies on your behalf, and leading your case for fair compensation for your injuries.
If you have experienced a slip and fall accident where a party may have been negligent in causing the slip and fall, contact us at J. Stein Law Firm. Our team can represent you to help retrieve damages you could be entitled to. We can focus on your case while you focus on recovery. Schedule a consultation with us today to discuss your potential case.
Sources:
https://jsteinlawfirm.com/slip-and-fall-accidents/
https://www.raphaelsonlaw.com/legal-insights/what-to-do-after-a-slip-and-fall
https://www.claggettlaw.com/2020/12/09/what-to-do-after-a-slip-trip-and-fall-accident/
https://tri-stateorthopaedics.com/did-you-slip-and-fall-what-you-should-do-after-an-accident/
https://www.nsc.org/workplace/safety-topics/slips-trips-and-falls/slips-trips-and-falls-home
https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/all-injuries/deaths-by-demographics/top-10-preventable-injuries/