Steps to Follow After a Slip and Fall Accident
Picture this: you are headed into an office building for an important business meeting. You decide to take the stairs instead of the elevator since the meeting venue is on the second floor of the building. Just as you are about to take the third step on the flight of stairs, you slip and tumble down, hurting your ankle. A slippery floor just cost you an important opportunity, and now you have to go to the ER for a checkup and treatment.
The number of Americans who get hurt in slip-and-fall accidents keeps getting higher with each day that passes. When you find yourself in such a situation, you need to know that you are entitled to compensation.
The compensation only comes to you if you can prove to a court of law that another person’s negligence is what caused you to get hurt. If you are thinking about how you should prove your worth of compensation after a slip and fall, read the sections below, which elaborate on what you need to do.
Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall
What you do after you hurt yourself in a slip and fall accident is crucial when building up a case to claim compensation in court. Follow the next steps to ensure you build a watertight case.
1. Get Medical Treatment from a Hospital
Go to the doctor as soon as you can to get a medical checkup. The injuries from the accident should not be trivialized. Ensure that you keep a copy of the doctor’s report after the checkup because they become part of the evidence when seeking compensation.
Going to the doctor immediately puts a timeline to your injuries and proves that they came from the accident. A common mistake that can disqualify you from getting compensation is waiting too long to seek treatment. This leaves a window where the injuries can be said to result from another incident.
2. Notify the Owners About the Accident
Inform the person in charge of the building about the accident. Rental and commercial buildings usually have a manager on-site, but if you can get a hold of them, walk-in and notify the person who holds the highest rank at that time.
You must do this in writing and keep a copy of the report for yourself.
3. Take Photos of the Scene
You will be requested to give a description of the place where the accident happened. Words descriptions may leave out some important details because the case may happen much later. Having photos of the scene helps a lot to make accurate descriptions.
The smartphone camera is enough to record photos. You can also record a video of the scene. Be sure to capture details such as any obstacles on pathways, puddles, and uneven ground. Photos would help your case if there were no warning signs placed on potentially dangerous walkways. The building owners may place signs later on and claim that you ignored them.
4. Call Your Lawyer
Contact your lawyer to do the negotiations for you. If the building has insurance, the insurance company will handle the case on their behalf. Lawyers with experience in matters involving compensation know which loopholes emanate when dealing with other lawyers and insurance companies.
When a legal tussle begins, they will aim to compensate you as little as possible or dismiss your claim completely.
Don’t Let That Slip and Fall Slide
Pursuing compensation after you get hurt in a slip-and-fall accident is your legal right. Don’t shy away from pursuing the matter till the end. Consider it as a wake-up call to the building owner or manager to step up their game. This will help to prevent other people from getting hurt in the future.
If you collect enough evidence, getting compensation is a smooth journey, provided you have the best legal minds in your corner.
