Each year a person lives after being involved in a slip and fall accident, they lose 1.8 days of work. These injuries can cause a lot of missed days due to medical care and recovery.
Yet workers aren’t the only ones that experience a slip and fall accident and need to handle the aftermath. As a consumer, there are several steps you can take to receive compensation for your injury.
Keep reading and explore the terminal steps after a slip and fall accident. But first, who can experience a slip-and-fall accident?
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Documenting the Incident
After a slip and fall accident, it is essential to document the incident. It is to prove that it occurred and to help your case should legal action be necessary. Immediately after the accident, one should take pictures or videos of the scene as evidence of how the fall happened, what caused it, and the consequences.
Additionally, one should take pictures of any tears, scrapes, or bruises resulting from the fall. It can also be helpful to provide medical documentation to prove the extent of your injury. A thorough report of the incident must be taken by the medical professional who treated the victim afterward or writes up your incident report.
Locate Possible Witnesses
If you have recently been involved in a slip and fall accident, it is essential to be aware of the possible witnesses to the incident. It can help with any future legal action. Look around the immediate area you fell in to see who was near at the time of the incident. Make sure to get their contact information and ask them to provide an account of the accident.
You may also approach people inside nearby shops or businesses at the time of the incident and ask them if they saw anything. Even if some witnesses did not see anything, they might have heard something and documented their account of what they heard and their contact information. Collecting this information ensures you have the necessary evidence to proceed in a legal matter.
Seeking Medical Attention
It is essential to seek medical attention immediately after a slip and fall accident. The physical effects of a slip-and-fall accident can take days or weeks to manifest, so it is essential to err on the side of caution. Additionally, even if there are no obvious physical symptoms of an injury.
And getting medical attention can protect the victim from any potential long-term injuries. Then, go to the nearest hospital or urgent care center, where they can assess any physical damages done by the fall. It is essential to get medical attention as the injury may manifest itself further in the days to come.
Consult an Attorney
If you’ve been involved in a slip and fall accident, consulting an experienced personal injury lawyer should be your next step. Your hire lawyer can review your case, identify the liable party and advise if you have grounds for a slip and fall lawsuit. They can inform you of your rights to damages and pursue a just settlement on your behalf.
Furthermore, an attorney can also help protect you from insurance companies who may attempt to settle quickly for an amount that falls short of your due compensation. They can evaluate medical bills, lost wages, and other potential payment sources to ensure you are fully compensated. An attorney can reassure you that your legal rights are represented capably and fairly.
A premise liability attorney specializes in slip and fall cases and can provide the guidance and support necessary to understand and enforce your legal rights. The attorney can guide the evidence needed to ensure a favorable outcome and recommend a course of action to get the most compensation available by law.
Knowing When to Take Legal Action
Ensure to preserve all medical documentation, including a detailed account of symptoms, diagnoses, treatment, and prognosis. The next step would be to record any lost wages or income. You should also document the incident scene and take pictures. To provide evidence that the incident happened and verify the premises’ condition.
Finally, you should review the circumstances carefully with an attorney to determine if legal help is the best action. An attorney may be able to determine if the property owner was negligent in maintaining the premises. Once you have the proper evidence, your attorney can convict if it is worth initiating a civil lawsuit.
Interpreting the Property Owner’s Liability
If you’ve suffered a slip-and-fall accident and are left wondering what steps to take next, start with determining whether the property owner is liable for your injuries.
Consider the following points to help you interpret the property owner’s liability regarding your accident: Was the property owner aware of the condition that caused the accident? Was adequate signage or warning provided? Was the property properly maintained? Where are materials or equipment left in hazardous areas? Was any safety gear provided or necessary?
A thorough review of these points will provide evidence for determining the property owner’s liability. After establishing full responsibility, document the incident thoroughly and seek medical attention.
Recovering Financially From a Slip and Fall Accident
After a slip and fall accident, the most critical steps are obtaining medical attention and documenting the incident. It is essential to get a medical evaluation and diagnosis. As well as make a record of the fall and its resulting injuries.
Filing a slip and fall claim with the responsible party’s insurance company is necessary. Or against the party themselves if no insurance is available. Identifying all potential sources of financial recovery, such as workers’ compensation or disability insurance, is also essential.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
Following a slip and fall accident, it’s essential to seek medical attention, record any evidence, and contact an attorney who can walk you through your legal options and help you get the compensation you deserve. If you have been injured in a slip and fall, it is time to call a qualified lawyer and get started with your case.
Then, stick to these tips and scroll through our blog for more helpful advice and insights.