Lawyers For The People

What Should I Do After a Slip & Fall Accident?

| Jan 4, 2018 | Premises Liability, Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall injuries are among the most common and, regardless if the fall was caused
by another person or a business, injured parties can file a lawsuit to
recover medical expenses, lost wages, and money to compensate for the
pain and suffering they endured as a result of the accident. However,
before you get to that stage, there are some steps you should take in
the immediate aftermath of a slip and fall accident.

Remember to follow these steps after sustaining an injury from a slip and
fall accident:

  • Seek medical attention: This is a good rule of thumb after any accident, even if you believe your
    injuries are minor. Head trauma and internal injuries can occur and you
    might not be aware of your injuries right away, which is why seeking immediate
    medical attention is so critical. First, a doctor will be able to provide
    treatment that can prevent your injuries from worsening or causing permanent
    damage. Second, you will be able to have, in writing, a professional diagnosis
    of any injuries caused by the fall.
  • Examine the area where you fell: Something caused you to slip and fall, so look around the area where the
    incident occurred to look for potential causes, such as ice, snow, loose
    carpet, spilled food, or uneven concrete. Write down your observations
    as soon as possible since it could be used as valuable evidence in court.
  • Identify witnesses: If there were any witnesses who saw the accident, write down their names,
    addresses, and phone numbers. Witnesses will be helpful if a landowner
    attempts to dispute your claim. Even if the person did not see you fall,
    he or she could still describe the conditions of the floor, lighting,
    and other details at the time of the incident.
  • Follow procedure: If your slip and fall accident occurred in a store or place of business,
    you might need to fill out an accident report or notify the manager. You
    should not make an effort to resolve the incident at the store, but it
    is important for the store to be made aware of your accident immediately.
    It is possible that someone, such as a supervisor or manager, might make
    an off the cuff remark that suggests a similar accident has occurred before,
    which you should make a note of.
  • Take photos as soon as you can: If you are able to, take pictures of the scene immediately after the accident
    or before conditions change. It will be pretty difficult for any property
    owner to dispute photographic evidence that proves your fall was caused
    by dangerous conditions on their premises.

Oneonta Slip & Fall Cases

Slip and fall accidents can cause potentially serious injuries. If you
fell due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property or on a
commercial property, you might have a valid premises liability case. At
Scarzafava, Basdekis & Dadey, PLLC, we will fight to hold the responsible party
accountable for their actions and ensure you receive the compensation
you are rightfully entitled to.

Contact our firm today at 607) 228-8404 to schedule your free confidential case review.

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