What to do after a slip and fall accident

03.04.2024 - 12:12 / traveldailynews.com / Apollonas Kritikos

Your ultimate course of action, whether you get a lawyer or not, should be guided by your injuries and the circumstances of the accident.

Everyone takes a spill sometimes. You may not see that plush dinosaur on the floor, trip, and fall. You may get out of the bath, slip on the wet floor, and tumble down.

However, there is a big difference between falling over a toy and a slip-and-fall accident due to negligence.

One million people suffer slip and fall injuries annually, with their injuries forming part of 12% of total annual falls. Five percent of people who fall sustain a severe fracture, which can lead to long-term issues. Moreover, treating slip and fall injuries costs an average of $34 annually.

Fortunately, a lot of slip-and-fall accidents only result in minor injuries. Still, it is crucial to know what to do if you fall because of a company or shopping center’s negligence.

Seeking medical attention is non-negotiable
You must find medical help immediately if you slip and fall in public. The same applies if you fall at home. A sudden fall causes an adrenaline spike, which may mask the pain of your injuries.

A doctor will examine you thoroughly and create a medical record. This record includes the date of the accident, injuries sustained, and the suggested treatment. This part of the process is crucial because your medical record will become evidence if you decide to open a case of negligence.

If you are older than 65, getting to a doctor or ER immediately after a fall is even more important. According to the CDC, 38,742 adults over the age of 65 died in 2021 after an unintentional fall.

Getting medical treatment fast can help prevent complications and speed up recovery after a fall.

Gathering dvidence at the accident scene
After receiving medical attention, you can start gathering evidence. Go back to where you fell and take pictures of the site. Your photos should include close-ups of the hazard that caused the fall. For instance, if there is water on a floor and no warning sign, take several photos.

If you were on a sidewalk outside an office building and tripped and fell because of uneven bricks, take photos of the sidewalk and the surroundings. Try to get contact information from potential witnesses to your fall. Witness statements make a big difference in establishing liability for slip and fall accidents.

If you fall on public property, like a mall or business, report the accident to the manager in charge.

Write down all the details of the accident
It is also critical to write down the details of your fall while you can still remember them. If you are seriously injured, this may not be possible right away. However, if you sustained minor injuries, try to do this immediately.

Ideally, you