Slip-and-fall accidents can happen almost anywhere, and they do, from your home to your workplace, or even in the hospital.
Some of the most common places for a fall accident include the following:
Retail stores
Grocery stores
Shopping malls
Gyms
Amusement parks
Churches
Restaurants
Hotels
Parking lots
Sidewalks
Bars
All of these areas must be properly maintained for safety. All property owners have a responsibility called premises liability. If you sustain an injury because of a fall, you may not know what to do. Here are the actions you should take after suffering a fall.
1. Get medical help
Your health is the most important thing after an injury. You may need to call an ambulance, go to the emergency room, see a physician at urgent care or set up an appointment with your doctor. Receiving a medical examination and treatment is crucial to your well-being and it creates medical records that will come in handy if you seek compensation for your accident.
2. Report the incident
No matter where the accident happens, report it to the proper authority. This may be a landlord, owner, manager or government entity. When making your report, make sure it is in writing and that you get a copy. An oral report may not give you enough evidence if you decide to build a legal case.
3. Document the details
Collect the following information before taking legal action:
The contact information of witnesses
Photographs of the accident location and any hazards, such as icy patches, broken stairs or uneven pavement
A journal describing the date, time, place and causes of the fall
This is a great way to build evidence and get compensation for your slip-and-fall accident.
4. Pursue a legal claim
If you believe the property owner is responsible for causing your accident, you should consider legal action. The aftermath of a slip and fall can be expensive and traumatizing. Filing a lawsuit may be the best way for you to recover financially from your injuries.