After a Slip and Fall Accident
Slip, trip and fall accidents can happen anywhere – at a retail store or office building, in a parking lot, at a neighbor’s home or anywhere in between. In fact, according to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), falls account for over 8 million hospital emergency room visits. Specifically, slips and falls account for over 1 million visits, or 12%, of total falls.
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 an accident due to the owner’s negligence, you may have a premises liability case.
What Should You Do After a Slip, Trip or Fall Accident?
If you believe that your accident may result in a premises liability case, the following will help you build a case for your claim.
- Your number one priority is to obtain medical treatment for your injuries. Once treated, obtain the medical records for any treatments. This will provide you with documentation for your claim.
- Make sure you report the accident to a manager/supervisor, owner, or landlord; in other words, someone who is a responsible party connected to the property. Request that a written report be completed and a copy sent to you.
- Gather the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident. If you have a camera handy (or one you can borrow), take pictures. 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. It can help to take pictures from different angles, too.
- It is best to write down your own impressions and recollections of what happened. What were you doing immediately prior to the accident? What do you believe caused your slip, trip or fall? What time did the event occur? Are there elements that might need to be cleaned up for safety (and did you take a picture)?
- Limit what you say to anyone, especially the property owner, even if it happens to be a friend. Refrain from giving any statements to anyone. Don’t post to social media. Best advice is to speak with an attorney first. Slip, trip and fall accidents can be complex; an experienced personal injury attorney who understands premises liability can help you sort everything out.
Need Additional Information?
HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?
RECEIVE A FREE EVALUATION FROM EXPERIENCED PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS
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 who 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.
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