A slip and fall accident can happen to anyone at any time. If you are involved in this type of accident, it could result in serious injury, leading to extensive medical bills and lost wages while you recover. When this happens, you are entitled to compensation, and hiring an experienced slip and fall accident attorney is the best way to win your case. However, your case could suffer if you fail to perform certain steps after the incident. Here are five steps you should take to strengthen your case after having a slip and fall accident.
If a person is injured due to a slip and fall in a business premise, the first thing you should do is look around to see what caused the fall and where the liquid potentially came from.
The next step is to see if there were any witnesses to the fall. If there was a witness, it is very important to write down their name, address and telephone numbers in case the store does not want to pay for the damages in the future. In all types of liability claims, it is the injured person’s burden to prove the store did something wrong. With a witness statement obtained by an attorney in the case, the probability of being successful in the claim improves dramatically.
Also, if an employee saw the fall, it is important to get his or her name and telephone number. They may have to be contacted at a later date.
Next, they should contact an employee of the store and have them get the manager. While waiting for the manager, the person should stay at the same in the area of the fall so they can explain to the manager what occurred. Also, give the manager the name of the witness for his or her records. Usually, the manager of the store will write up an “incident report” explaining what occurred and occasionally will take pictures of the person and the fall site.
Take pictures of the scene, especially if the liquid can be clearly seen in the photographs, for example, a green liquid detergent. It will also be helpful to the case if the person can obtain a copy of the incident report while at the store with the manager. Occasionally it will be given to the person and it helps the attorney in attempting to settle the case out of court.
If the person is injured due to the fall, the store manager will usually ask the person if he or she needs medical assistance from the paramedics. If the person is hurt, they should not be afraid to say yes to this assistance. The paramedics will come into the store, evaluate the person and possibly take them to the hospital. This evaluation from the paramedics is another form of proving that the person was in fact injured by the slip and fall.
While waiting for the paramedics, the manager will probably explain to the person that the store will take care of the medical bills. It is very important for the injured person not to accept any offers from the store or their insurance company without consulting an attorney. Once an offer is accepted and documents are signed the person might be waiving their right to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you decide not to go to the hospital right away, but feel you still need to see a doctor due to your injuries, don’t delay your visit. When seeing the doctor make sure to inform him or her how the injury is related to the fall. It is important to document that your injuries are related to the fall.
It is also important not to wash or get rid of the clothes the person was wearing during the accident. For example, if the person fell on detergent, the clothes will have a very strong odor from the liquid, which will also help prove the case. The person should place the clothes in a plastic bag and save them for their attorney.
Document the Scene of the Accident
Identify Witnesses
It is important to decline any requests for statements immediately following the accident. You should not be communicating with the property owner or manager besides reporting the incident, and you should not post about the fall on social media. This will not strengthen your case and may actually give the defense attorney a credible argument against you. Therefore, the only person you should speak with extensively is your lawyer.
Contact an Attorney
To receive the compensation you deserve after being involved in a slip and fall accident, you need the help of an expert attorney who can help you navigate the claim process. The slip and fall accident lawyers at Cecere Santana PA have years of experience helping clients receive compensation for injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact us today to learn more about the law services we offer or see how we can help you win your slip and fall lawsuit.
