Falls cause more traumatic brain injuries than any other type of mishap. All it takes is a spill of water or some ice to trigger a costly accident.
If you’ve been injured from a public slip and fall incident, you must follow a specific protocol right away. Doing so betters your chances when it comes to taking legal action.
The following guide will explain what to do after a fall so that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Medical Attention
If you slip in fall in a public place, seek medical attention for your injuries before doing anything else. Acting fast increases your chance of a full recovery for both minor and severe injuries.
Remember that some head injuries caused by falls aren’t obvious right away. Other injuries like sprains and breaks often require fast treatment to stop additional harm. You should also seek medical attention to help get the most possible compensation later on.
Collect Information
Always collect information from the scene in case you choose to file a personal injury claim. Start by taking pictures of your injuries and the location of the accident.
Try to get a mix of close-up pictures and wide shots of the whole area. If there are any hazards at the scene such as a wet floor or icy stairs, take several pictures to document them.
Gather the contact information of any witnesses in the area that saw your accident. There’s a chance that they’ll testify in court and help prove that it was the property owner’s fault.
Contact the Property Owner or Manager
Next, contact the property owner or manager and let them know about your accident and injuries. That way they can fix the issue and save others from the same accident. The owner or manager can also help you receive medical assistance after your fall.
You might feel embarrassed after a fall and not want to speak up, but remember that you can help others by reporting the accident. The owner or manager can also give you crucial information to help bolster your case.
Police Report
Always file a police report right away after a slip and fall accident to create a record of the incident. It can also help you decide if you want to pursue legal action against the property owner.
Include details like the date, time, and location of the accident in your report. If there were any witnesses around, include their information in the report as well.
Next, add any relevant pictures of your injuries or the scene to your police report. Make sure that all the information you include is accurate before filing the report to help your claim.
Police might even help you find witnesses and security footage to help your case. Filing a report also puts pressure on owners and managers to fix hazards to prevent future incidents.
Find an Attorney
After getting medical attention and reporting the incident, you must find a qualified personal injury attorney to speak with. Public injury laws are often complex and it’s not wise to go it alone.
An attorney can help you work through the complicated claims process and get you the most compensation possible. Remember to choose an attorney that specializes in personal injuries and communicates with their clients well.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall
Now you know the proper action to take after a slip and fall incident and why each step matters. Get medical assistance, gather information, file a report, and find an attorney.
For more tips, take a look at our site’s law section under the “more” tab.
