While injuries related to slip and fall accidents are fairly common, they often are not the fault of the injured person. Slip and fall or trip accidents can happen to anybody anywhere, and it’s important to know what legal steps to take following such accidents.
By law, homes, buildings, parking lots, and walkways must be properly maintained to ensure people can safely travel on them, a responsibility known as “premises liability.” If you ever suffer personal injury due to a slip and fall accident, an experienced lawyer can help you seek financial compensation for your losses.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
Here are a few legal avenues to pursue after a slip and fall injury:
1. Seek Medical Treatment
Your number one priority after a slip and fall injury is your health—or the health of your loved one. If you’ve suffered an injury, it’s important to seek medical attention so that your injuries can be promptly treated and correctly documented. Those medical records will provide important pieces of evidence when you decide to seek compensation for your injuries.
2. Report the Accident to the Relevant Parties
No matter where the accident occurs, be sure to report it to the landlord, manager, or building owner. Whether the accident happened in a store, sidewalk, or at a friend’s house, it’s important to get the details of the accident in writing. Let the building manager, owner, or landlord make a written report and get a copy before you leave the property.
3. Document Everything
After a slip and fall accident, it’s important to collect all potential witnesses’ names, phone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses. Witness statements could help prove your case if you decide to pursue a legal claim. Remember to take pictures of the location where you slipped or fell, including any stairs, icy patches, or other hazardous conditions that contributed to your accident.
4. Decline to Give Statements
After a slip and fall injury, try to remain calm and limit your communication with the building owner, landlord, or manager. Avoid posting any details related to the incident on social media and decline to give statements to an insurance company until you’ve consulted an attorney. Additionally, don’t place or take the blame for the incident.
Since many slip, fall, and trip cases are complex and hard to prove, you’ll want to leverage the resources of a trusted law firm. Attorneys experienced in slip and fall cases possess the knowledge and skills to get you the compensation you deserve.
Get Professional Help from an Attorney
If you suffered a slip and fall accident, you might have legal recourse through a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim. An experienced slip and fall lawyer can handle your case and, if necessary, represent you in a trial. Be sure to consult an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options.