What To Do After a Slip and Fall Accident

by Saikon Gbehan, Esq

Slip and fall accidents are often costly and caused by others or a business entity. Unfortunately, because more often than not, those at fault are unwilling to accept responsibility, a lawsuit may be the only option to recover medical expenses, lost wages, and monetary compensation for pain and suffering. As such, it is important to do the following things immediately after a slip and fall accident.

1. Seek Medical Assistance
   It is important to seek medical help immediately after your slip and fall accident because the extent of your injury may not be readily apparent at the time. Additionally, documentation of medical diagnosis and treatment of your injury is of critical evidentiary importance to prove and recover damages.
2. Identify and Preserve Evidence
   You need evidence to prove who is responsible for your injuries. After the fall, promptly look around the immediate vicinity to see if there is a wet floor, snow and/or ice, a defective or irregular floor, or any other object that caused the accident. Take pictures (or send someone to take a picture if you are unable) of the scene and particular spot or object which likely caused you to slip and fall.
3. Check for Witnesses
   Having someone with firsthand knowledge to confirm your version how the slip and fall accident occurred, increases your chance of receiving a fair compensation for your injuries. Thus, it is important to obtain the names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons who witnessed the incident or who were on the scene immediately after the fall.
4. File and Incident Report
   Your slip and fall claim becomes weaker the longer you wait to notify the responsible party of the incident or call the police. The owner of the land or business where the accident happened may employ the usual defense of ‘there is no report of such accident’. To avoid this defense, inform the employees, landowner, or available agent(s) and file a slip and fall accident report in the immediate aftermath of the accident.
5. Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
   A slip and fall accident is usually complicated to prove because the nature of the accident scene and your status as a licensee, invitee, or trespasser are intricate issues that affect your claim. The expertise and experience of an experienced personal injury attorney is invaluable in proving your claim.

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