Across the United States, thousands of victims of slips and falls file lawsuits against companies and businesses each year. Victims can seek compensation for lost wages and medical bills that accumulate during their recovery.
A slip and fall injury can happen anywhere and at any time. Whether you are shopping in a national store chain or vacationing on a cruise ship, a slip and fall is no laughing matter.
So, what should you do if you slip and fall in a public place?
Get Medical Attention
After a slip and fall, it is common for victims to get up as quickly as possible and ignore what just took place. This is often due to embarrassment. However, you should refrain from getting up and ignoring the pain and injury. A fall can cause you to become disoriented, and you may not know what to do. The minutes following your fall can dictate what happens if you file a lawsuit for compensation.
Be sure to seek medical aid by going to your doctor. If the injuries are bad enough, call for an ambulance. The effects of the fall may not appear for days. If you hit your head, a concussion can linger for days. You may feel all right at first, but there could be underlying problems that will only get worse with time.
Accident Report
Stores will have an accident report for you to fill out after an incident occurs. It is a good idea to get a copy of the form once you complete it. If the store will not give you a copy, be sure to photograph it with your cell phone.
Make notes of who you spoke with after your fall. Did the store manager come and assist you? Some managers or store staff will attempt to brush off the problem, so be sure to get notes.
While you are taking notes, it is a good idea to snap photographs of the area. By snapping photographs, you have evidence of what the area looked like when the slip and fall took place. If you do not act quickly, there is a good chance the store will remove items or clean the area where the fall took place.
Witnesses
Witnesses are important, as they can corroborate your story. If you find people who saw the incident take place it is important to get their names, phone numbers and addresses to follow up later on.
Compensation
Once you have been treated for your injuries, it is important to retain all medical bills and note down medical expenses. This can help you get the compensation you deserve. If you miss any days of work, it is vital that you note those down, as well. This allows you to get compensation for any missed wages.
Lulich & Attorneys
If you or a loved one have been a victim of a slip and fall, Lulich & Attorneys can help. Visit our page on slips and falls to see how we can help you. Lulich & Attorneys can help you with all your personal injury law needs.