Slip-and-fall injuries happen every day in the United States. In fact, some reports estimate that as many as 8 million people visit the emergency room every year due to falling.
It could easily happen to you due to someone else’s negligence. The hours after the initial injury are vital to your recovery and to a possible claims process. Here are essential steps to take after suffering from a slip and fall.
Report the incident
You need to make sure the owner of the property knows about your injury. You should ask the landlord or manager to create a written report. Give this person your contact information because you need to leave the premises right away to get medical treatment.
See a doctor
Your health is of the utmost importance after a fall. You need to make sure you did not break or bruise anything internal. Ask a doctor to perform various tests to see what injuries you sustained if any. This medical record will function as a vital piece of evidence to your insurance company and possibly a jury.
Decline to provide statements
The store manager’s legal team may want to talk to you shortly after the incident. You should not speak to anyone about your injury unless your lawyer is present. You want to limit all communications because you may inadvertently say something that harms your case.
Document everything
Along the way, you want to document anything that could potentially help your case. At the scene, you need to collect the names and contact information of any witnesses who saw the fall. You need to document your recovery process. If your doctor prescribed anything, then you need to keep track of when exactly you took your medication and saw a physical therapist. You should also store the clothing you wore at the time of the fall because it may come in handy later.
