You didn’t see it coming. Maybe the floor was slippery, the sidewalk was cracked, or you tripped on a cord or debris. The impact was instant: pain, embarrassment, and shock. Knowing what to do in these situations can be the difference between a rough recovery with many losses and a smooth recovery with compensation for all your damages. Read on.
“A slip and fall can be considered a personal injury if certain legal elements are met. Such as a duty of care for your safety and a hazard that caused the accident,” explained Jeffrey Phillips, attorney at Phillips Law Group Injury Lawyers. The sequence of events after a slip or fall accident can greatly impact your claim if you file one. This article details the key steps to be taken right after the incident to ease the burden on those involved in such accidents.
Step 1: Check for Injuries
This will probably be a reflexive action, but it’s essential to know its importance. The first and arguably most important thing to do is check for any injuries. Are you bleeding? Is anything broken? Where does it hurt? Take note of your body’s immediate response, not just for your safety but also for your claim once you file it.
Step 2: Call for Help
If you do see an injury, the next step is to call 911. If you can’t do that, ask someone else to use their phone. Remember, it’s still a good idea to notify the store management even if there’s no visible injury. Sometimes, the effects of the fall won’t show up until hours or even days after the accident.
Step 3: Report the Incident
Next, inform the property owner. Ask them to document the incident and get a copy for your files. Be calm and polite even if you think they’re to blame.
Step 4: Document the Scene
Is your phone still working? If so, open your camera app and take pictures and videos of your injury, any property damage, and the hazard you think caused it all. This will be key evidence for your claim, especially since it was captured right after the incident. Also, don’t toss the shoes you were wearing yet. They might hold crucial evidence like slippery residue or damage from the fall. Bag them, label them, and keep them in a safe spot in case you need to present them as evidence later on.
Step 5: Get Witness Details
Was anyone else around when you fell? Maybe there were other diners at the restaurant or other customers at the store. Approach these people calmly and get their names, phone numbers, and statements about what they saw.
Step 6: See a Doctor
All your work can be for nothing if you don’t see a doctor right after the accident. A doctor will treat immediate injuries and schedule follow-up appointments to monitor for other symptoms that may show up later. Getting treated creates a paper trail of documentation you can use as evidence for your personal injury claim.
Step 7: Consult an Attorney
Fault may seem clear-cut from your perspective, but it’s different from a legal perspective. That’s why you should talk to a lawyer with a good reputation and experience. They’ll listen to your story and use this information and evidence to assess whether you have a case.
Conclusion
Don’t slip up on your rights. We hope this blog helped you understand the steps you should take after a slip and fall incident. The most important thing is your health and well-being. Check for any injuries and call 911 immediately. Report the matter to the management, and if you can, use your phone to capture video and picture evidence. If someone else was present, get their phone number, name, and statement. Once done, see a doctor, tell them all that happened, and get treated. This will create evidence for your case and help address your injuries. Finally, contact a lawyer and tell them what happened.
