Personal Injury Lawyer
Slipping and falling is an unfortunate experience that happens to the best of us. But what if your fall was not the result of your own clumsiness? What if you fell because the owner or landlord of the property you’re on neglected to fix their walkway or you slipped on a wet floor and there was not signage to warn you? In these cases, you may be entitled to compensation.
It is important to know that the actions you take immediately following the fall are some of the most significant because they provide compelling evidence should you decide to pursue compensation for your fall.
Here are the steps that you should take if you slip and fall on someone else’s property:
- Seek medical treatment
You may believe that you are well enough to get up and leave the scene without any medical treatment, but the first step in any slip and fall case is to see a doctor. If you were hurt, this can become important as you document your injuries properly. Your medical records will serve as proof that you were injured during the fall and sought medical advice should you decide to seek compensation.
- Inspect the place where you fell
Did you fall because there was a wet floor, poor floor work, or any kind of condition that points to negligence on behalf of the owner? If poor conditions that should have been tended to before anyone entered the property were the cause of your fall, you’ll want to document those conditions. If possible, take photos while still at the scene of the accident.
- Report the incident
Be sure to report the slip and fall accident to the owner, manager or landlord of the property. Get the details of the incident in writing for your own records should you decide to pursue compensation.
- Document everything
If there were witnesses to the incident, it is important that you get their names, addresses, and phone numbers so that they can be contacted should you need them to prove your claim. Again, it would be smart to take photos of the scene, including the exact place that you fell and the conditions that caused the fall. You may even want to save the clothing or shoes that you were wearing at the time of the fall in case they become important during the claims process.
- Do not give any statements about the incident
It can be tempting to make the owner or manager of the property feel better by saying that the accident was your fault or that you aren’t hurt. For this reason, it is important to limit your interactions with them. Do not post details of your fall anywhere and do not place or take any blame in the accident.
- Contact an attorney.
Slip and fall cases can be difficult to prove, so the best person to have on your side is a personal injury lawyer DC offers. Did you slip and fall as a result of someone else’s negligence? Call a law office today to schedule a consultation.
Thank you to our friends and contributors at Cohen & Cohen, P.C. for their insight into slip and fall injuries and personal injury claims.