According to the National Fall Safety Institute, slip and fall accidents account for over 8 million hospital emergency room visits, representing the leading cause of visits. Fractures are the most common consequences of falls and while not usually fatal, slip and fall accidents can lead to expensive medical bills and lost wages from taking time off work to recover.
If you have suffered a slip and fall injury on someone else’s property, review these important steps to file a slip and fall claim against the at-fault party.
1. Seek Medical Treatment
After an accident, you should seek medical treatment from a doctor as soon as possible. Even if you feel your accident was minor, some injuries have hidden and delayed symptoms. A medical professional will be able to assess your health so that any injuries are diagnosed and treated properly. This step is important because it provides documentation of your injuries and links them to your accident.
2. File A Report
As soon as you can, you should report the slip and fall accident to the property owner. In turn, they will file an accident report and document any injuries you suffered, as well as what they believe may have caused the incident. When filing your accident report, make sure that your account is factual in terms of what you know occurred before and during the accident. This timeline will help to establish the fact that you suffered an injury because of a known hazard on the property. Facts like this may be useful when proving the property owner’s liability to your injury.
3. Collect All Evidence
Another step that needs to happen immediately after your injury is the collection of evidence. This evidence will help paint a picture of what contributed to your slip and fall accident.
Evidence includes:
Photos
Video
Warning Signs
Water or liquids near the area you slipped and fell
Uneven ground
Damaged flooring
Loose wires or cords
4. Listen To Your Doctor
After you’ve received medical care, and your doctor prescribes you a treatment plan, it is very important that you follow the plan. Following your doctor’s orders shows that you are proactive about improving your condition. Not following the treatment plan can have serious effects on your claim and reduce its value. If it is proven that you are not following the doctor’s plan, an insurance company may allege your inattentiveness to your health after the accident caused your injury to worsen.
5. Do Not Discuss Details
Since you may be contacted by the property owner and the property owner’s insurance company to discuss your claim, you must be careful to not give information that could be used against you. It is advised not to provide the insurer with a recorded official statement unless advised by your attorney. It is also advised not to share too much information with family and friends when pursuing a claim.
6. Hire A Lawyer
Slip and fall accidents are serious and settlements can be large. Hiring an experienced attorney to assist with your claim may be in your best interest. Your attorney will be able to help you determine if your slip and fall accident may have been caused by the property owner’s negligence and whether you are entitled to compensation. They will handle all communications with the property owner’s insurance company and attorneys to help you receive the compensation you deserve.
We hope this article was informative. If you or a loved were recently injured and are seeking compensation and representation contact Gregory Spektor & Associates. Our law firm has a proven track record of successfully handling accident settlements, personal injury cases, wrongful death lawsuits, premise liability claims and litigation cases. To schedule a free consultation contact our legal team at 1-800-318-8888 or email us at [email protected].
