Everyone clumsily falls at some point or another, but sometimes those falls are not our fault. It doesn’t really matter if you’re a pro-athlete in your 20s or a 70 year-old retiree, slip and fall accidents can happen to any of us at any time, and what you need to do can be confusing if you’re injured without any fault of your own. According to the law, spaces such as buildings, homes, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, walkways and other public spaces must be maintained so they are safe to walk on.
This law, known as premises liability, dictates that owners or current inhabitants of a premises are to be held liable for any and all injuries caused to others due to improper maintenance of or negligently allowing an unsafe condition to exist on the premises. If you find yourself in a slip and fall situation, you may be entitled to compensation of damages such as: pain and suffering, time away from your job and for medical bills/ expenses.
Here are the steps you should be taking if involved in a slip and fall accident:
1. Determine What Medical Needs You Have
After you’ve experienced a slip and fall accident, your health comes first. If you’ve been injured, you should call 9-1-1 or see your primary care doctor so your injuries can be assessed, treated and properly documented. Injury documentation provided by your doctor will be important for your slip and fall case in the event that you pursue legal action.
2. Report the Accident & Get Documentation
Wherever your slip and fall accident has happened, you should get in contact with the owner or manager of the property to report the event, including what caused your fall (such as water on the floor, which you were not able to see). Make sure you get a copy or take a photo of any written report of your fall. This along with your medical record will be key elements to your slip and fall case. You should also get the contact information for whoever wrote the incident report. Do your best to obtain contact information and statements from witnesses who saw what happened. Finally , be sure to take photos of where you fell whether it be a broken sidewalk or icy driveway.
3. Contact an Attorney ASAP
You may not think you need an attorney, but an injury lawyer is well equipped with knowledge of slip and fall accidents and how to receive the most compensation for your case. If you are asked to talk to the owner of the property or to the insurance company handling the claim, make sure you only speak to them through your attorney. It is best to run everything you may want to put online (i.e., social media) regarding your slip and fall accident through your injury lawyer as well.
Slip and fall accidents can be confusing to navigate if you’re not familiar with the process. If you or someone you know has been involved in a slip and fall incident, contact the Parrish Law Firm for a free consultation at (571) 229 – 1800 or click here.
Call or Text 571-229-1800 or Complete a Free Case Evaluation form
