Slip and fall accidents can happen anytime to anyone, young or old. While many people assume that the elderly are more susceptible to slip and fall accidents, this is not the case. Millions of people visit the emergency room every day for injuries that occur as a result of a slip, trip, or fall. Whether you trip on a torn carpet or slip on an unmarked wet floor, you should seek medical attention immediately.
These types of accidents can often lead to long-term injuries that are not immediately noticeable. Some of the most common injuries that occur as a result of a slip-and-fall accident are back and neck injuries. Most slip and fall accidents result in upper and lower back injuries.
This blog will explain what you need to know about this kind of accident. What about your injuries? What proof is required to file a complaint or claim a compensation? What can you do now?
Let’s dig deeper.
10 Steps to Take if You Have Been Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident
Step 1:
First and foremost, you should seek medical attention if you have suffered a slip-and-fall accident. Depending on the severity of your injury, this could mean a visit to the emergency room. Others may wait and go to one of our pain management clinics in the days following the incident. Pay attention to your body and listen to what it says. Never ignore any pain symptoms, as they could turn into a more severe problem.
Step 2:
Obtain the names, phone numbers and addresses of any witnesses who may have seen or heard about your accident. Also, be sure to obtain the names, phone numbers, and addresses of any employees who may have been witnesses. This will be crucial for your slip and fall lawyer to build your case.
Step 3:
Try to remember statements made by store employees at the time of the accident. These statements could later be used to imply liability. For example, “They told me I had to clean that up,” which can be used as a notification and serves as proof that store management knew a problem existed.
Step 4:
Please promptly notify the store manager or the person most directly in charge of the premises about your fall.
Step 5:
Be sure to take a picture of what was in the vicinity of the area where you fell. If you don’t have a cell phone, try to find someone nearby to take a picture with your cell phone. This will provide your Fort Lauderdale slip and fall lawyer with evidence and help them determine fault for the incident.
Step 6:
Determine/Identify the substance or element that caused the slip. Try to determine the origin of the substance or element that caused your fall. For example, water may have leaked from a malfunctioning refrigerator or freezer. Suppose it is proven that the substance had been on the floor for an extended period. In that case, your fall injury attorney will be able to demonstrate that management or a store employee had to warn of the existing danger. This can prove that they could have had enough time to clean the material before an accident occurred.
Step 7:
Try to obtain a copy of the incident report that the manager prepared in response to your accident.
Step 8:
Some slip and fall injuries can be felt at the scene of the accident. However, most of the time, other injuries may manifest and show their effects later. Carefully document your injuries and realize that your symptoms and pain may change over the next few days. This will help you present your injuries to your doctor so they can be documented as part of your record.
Step 9:
Call a slip and fall Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale for legal help immediately. Often, it is not a defect or problem in the property itself. It is essential to call a slip and fall Lawyer immediately. They will go to the scene and take photographs/videos to establish the defective nature of the property before anyone attempts to correct it. Sometimes, an owner can try to fix the defect and claim that it never existed. Therefore, preserving evidence is essential.
Step 10:
It is also essential to document any economic or social losses incurred as a result of your accident. Write down days of work missed and social occasions in which you cannot participate because of your injuries.
If you have questions about your rights, contact our Fort Lauderdale slip and fall attorneys before calling your insurance company. It is important to remember that insurance, especially the responsible parties, often do not have your best interests in mind.
What NOT to Do if You Are Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident
Many times, after a slip and fall, you are left hurt, embarrassed, and confused. In these cases, it is possible to make mistakes, and the alleged party can take advantage of you. That is why our Fort Lauderdale slip-and-fall Lawyers tell you what NOT to do in these cases.
- Do not sign any statements or incident reports.
- Don’t blame anyone for the incident, especially yourself.
- Wait to talk to your homeowner’s insurance company after consulting with a slip and fall lawyer. An insurance company claim adjuster may put pressure on you to admit responsibility for the incident or minimise your injuries. Write down the name and telephone number of the adjuster so that your lawyer can call you.
- Do not allow any investigators entry into your home.
In Conclusion
It is important to contact a slip-and-fall lawyer in Fort Lauderdale because the property owner will have his insurance adjusters working immediately to protect his interests. There is no reason to give the owner an advantage. They should avoid getting a false sense of security and assuming that the property owner will do the right thing. The owner, his attorneys, and his insurance adjusters have no responsibility to protect the interests of an injured party. The responsibility is to do everything possible to protect their interests, and they have no obligation to the victim.
At One People Law, our attorneys can handle all legal matters. You’ll only have to focus on getting medical treatment and doing everything your medical providers tell you to do. After being represented by an attorney, your primary job is to do everything in your power to improve your injuries.