What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident

Nearly everyone can recall a time they were walking on a slippery floor and lost their footing. “That was a close one,” you likely thought as you imagined what could have been if you’d suffered a fall. While you may have avoided injury in that instance, the chances you’ll endure a slip and fall accident at some point in your lifetime are high.

According to the National Floor Safety Institute, slips and falls account for over 1 million emergency room visits each year. They can happen anywhere at any time, and it probably won’t be your fault when it does. Public and private buildings as well as parking lots and walkways must uphold a certain level of safety for those who use them. If you’re injured as a result of a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property due to their neglect, you may be able to file a lawsuit to cover your medical expenses, lost wages from taking time off work to recover, and even compensation for pain and suffering.

If you’re hurt in a slip and fall accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Once you’ve been evaluated by a doctor and have received a professional diagnosis of your injuries, here are the next steps for building your case:

Re-visit the area where you fell.

It’s important to inspect the place where you fell as soon as possible. Look for loose carpet, uneven concrete or spilled water. Jot down your version of how the fall occurred while it’s fresh in your memory.

Take photos of the scene.

Snap some pictures of area where you fell, before conditions change. Photo evidence can be extremely helpful in a slip and fall case, as the property owner will have a harder time denying responsibility for your injury.

Notify the property owner.

Whether you fell in a department store or a friend’s apartment, be sure to report your accident to the store manager or landlord. Keep all records of correspondence, and get a copy of the accident report if possible.

Identify witnesses.

Did anyone see you fall? Collect the names, phone numbers and addresses of anyone you were with at the time of your accident and immediately following. You may also want to contact those who were working in surrounding businesses at the time.

Contact a personal injury attorney.

In the days following your slip and fall, insurance adjusters and the property owner’s lawyers may attempt to contact you, and it’s important to be careful about what you say. If your injuries are serious, it’s wise to contact a personal injury attorney before you talk to anyone else.

Have you been injured in a slip and fall accident?

At Salmu Law Firm in San Diego, our attorneys will fight aggressively on your behalf to seek full and fair compensation for your slip and fall injury. We know exactly how to handle insurance companies and opposing lawyers who will try to get you to downplay the effects of your accident in hopes of paying you as little as possible.

With Salmu Law Firm on your side, you’ll be able to focus on what’s most important following a serious fall – your recovery. Call us today to schedule your free case evaluation.