We’re often embarrassed and generally try to brush off a fall in public; however, we caution you against making a hasty exit. You may not realize the extent of your injuries at the scene of a slip and fall accident. There are steps you should take directly after the incident to protect yourself.
- Call for help and seek treatment. Look around you and call out to anyone in the immediate area. If necessary, call 911.
- Take photos. If possible, get photographs of the area documenting why you fell. For example, if you fell in water, take pictures of the water; if you tripped over an item, photograph the item. In general, take pictures that show the conditions around and the location of the fall. This is important to do before a representative of the store cleans up the evidence.
- Report the fall. Report the fall to store management. Do not sign any form unless you verify the entire form is accurate. If there is written documentation, request a copy.
- Gather witness information. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses to your fall.
- Look for cameras. Look to see if there are any cameras in the area of your fall and ask the store for a copy of the video if there is one. Access to video from the accident scene is most beneficial; however, if you don’t acquire the video quickly after the incident, there is a chance that it will not be available at a later date.
- Contact an attorney. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as you are able. The advice of a professional that handles slip and fall accidents on a regular basis can help you recover due compensation.
Store owners can be held responsible for injuries caused by their negligence. If an injured person can prove that the store owner had knowledge of the dangerous condition that caused the fall or that the store owner should have had knowledge of the dangerous condition, the store owner could owe the injured party damages that include compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
If you have experienced a fall due to someone else’s negligence, it costs you nothing to have your case evaluated by one of Grall Law Group’s premises liability attorneys. To find out how we can help you, contact our Personal Injury team at 772-773-6697.