What to do right after a slip and fall accident
After a slip and fall accident, there are important things you need to do right away. These are the steps you should follow to recover your health faster and build a case to receive compensation for your injuries:
Step
1
Get medical treatment immediately.
Regardless of the severity of your injuries, you need to see a doctor right away. Delaying diagnosis and treatment increases the risk of your injuries worsening. It also reduces the value of your slip and fall case. Insurance companies and corporate defendants always argue that the accident did not cause your injuries, or that your injuries aren’t as serious as you are claiming. By seeing a physician and getting treatment, you're showing them that you are doing everything you can to heal—and you're not just after the money. At Palm Wellness Center, we can provide you with accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. We can also provide you with the medical records which will help prove your injuries in court.
Step
2
Report your accident.
Report your accident to whoever is in charge of the property. If you are not able to report the accident yourself, ask friends or family members to call back and report it for you. You must get a copy of the accident report, whether it is from the police, manager, or owner of the property. Insurance companies will not take your slip and fall case seriously if it is not reported within a day of when the accident happened.
Step
3
Take as many photos as possible.
You need to take lots of photos: close ups, wide-angle views, and views from different directions that capture all the details of the place where you fell, including what made you fall. Also, take pictures of your injuries. If you are not in a condition to take the pictures, ask a friend or a family member to do it. Pictures are going to allow your lawyer to evaluate the case properly. They will also serve as proof of your injuries and of the conditions that contributed to your fall.
Step
4
Determine what caused you to slip and fall.
Determine what caused your accident. It could be spilled liquid that was not cleaned immediately, or broken flooring that was not repaired. Not knowing what caused your slip and fall accident will make it harder for your attorneys to prove your case. You have to be as detailed as you can about it.
- Identify exactly what hazardous condition caused you to slip and fall.
- Find out if someone created this condition and what their relation to the property is.
- Determine how long the hazardous condition existed and whether anyone else has had a similar accident.
- Identify any materials or substances present.
- Document and try to identify any sound you hear before, during, and after the fall.
- Document any details about the substance or material that made you fall, like aging, color, or composition.
Step
5
Take detailed notes.
Take notes regarding all the details about your slip and fall accident. Include the weather, the date and time of the fall, as well as exactly how you fell. This might include things like which foot stepped first, which part of your body hit the ground first, and how you braced for the fall. Also take detailed notes of the clothes and shoes you were wearing at the time of the accident, including fabric, brand, and type. You need to record the things around you as well: what was in front of you or what you were looking at, who was near you, what were they doing, what they looked like, and their behavior. You can use all this information to help build your case.
Step
6
Obtain contact information of witnesses.
If you can, get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of anyone who witnessed your fall. Interview them on what they think caused your fall or how you reacted after the fall. If anyone says that similar falls have happened before, make a note, and try to get the contact information of the person involved. If possible, use a recording device to save all the information you've gathered. Also, get the name and insurance information of the property owner or manager.
Step
7
Save everything.
Place the shoes and clothing that you were wearing during the accident in a safe storage place. Don't wash them yet. Take photos of the items as well. You might need them to prove your case in court.
Step
8
Call a lawyer.
Oftentimes, insurance companies or corporate defendants will offer to pay your medical bills in exchange for you agreeing not to sue them. You should never agree to a settlement until you have consulted an attorney. Your attorney can help you get the maximum benefits for your injuries.
Keep going to medical appointments.
Do not miss medical appointments and follow your doctor’s recommended treatment. If you have a pattern of missing medical appointments, many jurors will assume that you weren’t seriously injured in the first place.
Limit communication with business owners, employees, or other witnesses.
Other than to report the accident or for gathering information, say as few words as possible. Do not get into detailed discussions about how you slipped and fell. These people might testify against you. Also, always keep calm and never get into an argument with anyone.
Never participate in giving a recorded statement.
Unless you have hired an attorney who gives you the ok, do not agree to provide a recorded statement to the business or their insurance company. They might get you to say something that they can later use to discredit your slip and fall case. Moreover, the law does not require you to participate in these recorded statements.
Refuse to complete or sign any forms.
You are not legally obligated to complete or sign any forms. Get an attorney, they can help you with all the legalities of your case.
In case of friendly environment.
If your accident happened on a friend’s property, you can proceed with the steps mentioned above. In general slip and fall cases, you are not trying to get compensation from the property owner's capital but rather from their insurance policies.
