Over 21% of visits to the emergency room are from slips, trips, and falls. You may be entitled to compensation after a slip and fall injury. A claim entails proving that your injuries are the results of the property owner’s negligence.
If you are the victim of a slip and fall accident, it’s important to take steps to protect your health and financial interest. Let’s take a look at what you need to do next.
Get Medical Attention
If you suffered a serious injury, you must seek immediate medical attention. Dial 911 if needed as injuries that are not immediately treated can worsen. If your injury is not urgent, you or a loved one may be able to start documenting the scene first.
Be sure not to wait too long before getting treatment. Insurance companies could argue that delaying treatment is a sign that you are exaggerating your injuries. Doing so could hurt your case further down the road.
Also, make sure to get any X-rays, MRI or CT scans, or other tests that your doctor recommends. This can speed recovery and help document the extent of your injuries.
Document the Scene
Taking pictures of the condition of the property and the area where the accident happened can help build your case. Pay special attention to any potential hazardous conditions. These might include:
- Spilled liquid
- Loose or damaged flooring
- Debris on the floor
- Ice or snow buildup
- Inadequate lighting
- Missing and damaged warning signs
It’s important to document the scene as quickly as possible. Otherwise, the owner could clean up or fix hazards that could prove negligence.
The second part of documenting the accident is speaking to any witnesses. If someone saw the accident, you should speak with them about what they saw. In addition, make sure to get their name and contact information. Your attorney may want to reach out to them at a later time.
Contact the Property Owner
It’s important to let the property owner know that you had a slip and fall accident. It might be as easy as notifying the homeowner if it occurred on a residential property.
You may need to fill out an accident report for a commercial or government property. Your information should be clear and coincide. Make sure you don’t volunteer information that might suggest that you are at fault.
The property owner will most likely send it to their insurance company for review. An employee of the insurance company may contact you. Be aware you don’t have to speak with them.
If you are hurt at work, your employer may have additional steps for you to follow. Make sure you notify your employer as soon as possible as well.
Contact a Slip and Fall Lawyer
You should contact a slip and fall attorney as soon as possible. Some states have statutes of limitations that could be as low as two to three years.
Your lawyer can walk you through the claims process and the next steps and build a case for you. They will also make sure to represent your best interests when discussing the claim with the other parties.
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Next Steps After a Slip and Fall Accident
After a slip and fall accident, it’s important to seek medical attention to prevent further injury. You should also document the scene and contact a slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible. Taking these steps can help make the claims process much easier.
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