7 Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Injury
Believe it or not, slip and fall accidents are responsible for more than one million hospital visits every year. These accidents can happen without warning and, though some are minor, others result in serious injuries.
Every accident is different and that makes dealing with those injuries difficult. If you suffer a slip and fall injury, you need to know what steps to take so you can get on the road to recovery faster.
Here are a few key steps to take immediately after your injury.
1. Get Medical Help
Immediately following a slip and fall accident, you’ll want to take steps to get medical treatment as soon as you can. The sooner you do, the easier it will be to document the extent of your injuries.
If the injury is severe, ask for an ambulance. If it’s relatively minor, call your doctor before you leave the scene and let them know you’re injured. They should be able to schedule an appointment to assess your injuries.
If your doctor doesn’t have an appointment available, make a plan to head to the nearest urgent care facility as soon as you leave the business. Urgent care facilities are used to dealing with slip and fall injuries and can provide you with the necessary documentation to help you prove your personal injury case.
Just make sure the urgent care provider is covered by your insurance company. Otherwise, you risk paying for the appointment out of pocket. They should be able to tell you what plans they accept over the phone.
2. Collect Witness Information if Possible
Before you leave the property, try to get contact information for anyone that witnessed your slip and fall accident. It doesn’t matter if they saw you fall or witnessed you trying to recover from the fall. They can still provide information about the conditions at the business leading up to the accident.
You’ll be able to give their contact information to your slip and fall lawyer if you decide to file a lawsuit for your injuries. The witnesses will be able to give them a better understanding of what happened so they can better represent your case.
3. Photograph the Scene and Your Injuries
If you can, photograph both the place where the injury occurred and the injury you suffered. Try to identify what caused you to slip and fall and photograph it to the best of your ability. If you can’t identify the cause of the accident, thoroughly document the surrounding area.
You’ll want to give these images to your slip and fall attorney.
The visuals can help prove liability if you end up filing a lawsuit. The more documentation you can provide, the better.
4. Report the Slip and Fall Injury
It’s always best to let the business know that you suffered a slip and fall injury before you leave the property. They’ll take your personal information down and document the details of the incident.
Don’t panic. This doesn’t mean they’re trying to blame you for your injuries. They’re just doing what their insurance company wants them to do.
Remember, every business should have a comprehensive liability policy to help cover the cost of any medical treatments you receive. Before they can file a claim with their insurance company, they need to understand what happened and what types of injuries you’re experiencing.
While you’re speaking with the business owner or manager, don’t point fingers or accept blame for the injury. Remain calm, give them the information they need, and get their contact details. Once you’re done, you’re free to leave the business.
5. Call an Attorney
If you’re injured at a business, it’s always a good idea to schedule a consultation with a slip and fall attorney. They’ll be able to review your situation and determine if you have a case against the company.
If you do, the attorney will be able to represent your case both with the business’s insurance company and the court if you fail to reach a fair settlement. Even better, they’re familiar with slip and fall injuries and can help you review settlement offers before you accept them.
Remember, once you accept a settlement, you waive your right to request a larger amount.
6. Start Documenting Everything
The most successful slip and fall lawsuits get larger settlements because they have an abundance of information about the incident. Start documenting everything as soon as you can.
Keep track of the medical files relating to your injury and recovery. Follow the doctor’s recommendations and document your progress. You may find it helpful to keep a journal detailing your symptoms and take pictures as your recovery proceeds.
If the business reaches out to you, keep track of those communications and let your attorney know immediately. This will make it easier to prove your case and help you get the largest settlement possible.
Remember, there’s no such thing as too much documentation. Your attorney will be able to sort through things and tell you what’s helpful to your case.
7. Keep Details Private
Avoid posting on social media or trying to lay the blame on the company. This can actually hurt your case and may make it harder for you to get the money you deserve.
If you stop following your doctor’s advice or participate in activities that negate the severity of your accident, don’t post about those activities. The business’s insurance company will likely look at your social media profile to see if you’re exaggerating your condition.
If they can prove that you’re not as injured as you claim, you may end up receiving a smaller settlement amount than you deserve.
Follow These Steps After a Slip and Fall Injury
If you’re the victim of a slip and fall injury, make sure to follow these essential steps. As long as you take your time, avoid laying blame, and consult with an experienced personal injury attorney, you’ll be in good shape.
Once you get your settlement for your injury, you’ll still need to focus on your recovery. Check out our latest posts for more tips to help speed the process up so you can get back to life as normal quickly.
