Slip, trip, and fall accidents can happen anywhere – while shopping at a retail store, walking through a parking lot, visiting a friend’s home, or navigating an office building. All of these places – buildings, homes, parking lots, and even walkways – are supposed to be maintained to ensure the safety of those using them. If they are not, and you have a slip and fall accident due to the owner’s negligence, you may have a premises liability case.
Falls account for over 8 million emergency room visits annually. Of those, slip and fall accidents represent more than 1 million visits, or 12%, of total falls.
If you believe that your accident was caused by unsafe property conditions, the following steps may help you build a case for a personal injury claim.
Obtain medical attention immediately. Your number one priority is you, so obtain medical treatment for your injuries, even if they seem minor. Once treated, you will want to request copies of all medical records, diagnoses, and treatment plans. This documentation will provide you with critical evidence in a slip and fall lawsuit.
Report the incident. Make sure you report the accident to a responsible party, someone connected to the property. such as a manager/supervisor, property owner, or landlord. Ask that a written incident report be completed and request a copy for your records. This helps establish a timeline and formal documentation of the event.
Document the scene. Take photos of the area where the accident occurred. Make sure you document any hazards, such as:
You want to capture pictures of anything that might have contributed to your accident – liquid spills, uneven flooring or stairs, torn carpeting, ice, or snow.
Gather witness information. Ask for the names and contact details of any witnesses to the accident. Witness statements can support your version of events and help validate your claim.
Write down what happened. As soon as possible, jot down your own account of the incident, including impressions and recollections of what happened.
Limit communication. Avoid discussing the accident with the property owner. DO NOT post anything to social media. Refrain from making any statements to anyone. The best advice is to speak with a premises liability attorney first. Slip, trip, and fall accidents can be complex, but an experienced personal injury attorney who understands premises liability can help you sort everything out.
When you have questions, our team is here to answer them for you.
Slip and fall cases can be difficult to prove. To obtain compensation for your injuries, you need an experienced and aggressive personal injury legal team that knows what to look for and how to prove unsafe conditions. The legal team at Nash & Franciskato Law Firm is that team, having obtained substantial settlements for premises liability cases. Contact us for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
If you would like to receive legal tips, safety insights, and blog updates regularly, sign up to receive our email newsletter. Your email address will only be used to send you our newsletter and respond to inquiries.
Past results afford no guarantee of future results, and each case is different and is judged on its own merits. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published June 13, 2019. It was reviewed/updated on July 28, 2022, and re-published on October 31, 2025.
Photo Credits: AndreyPopov(Andriy Popov) – Image File – via depositphotos.com
