People injured in slip-and-falls sometimes make the mistake of assuming that they are automatically eligible for insurance coverage or other forms of compensation. Unfortunately, businesses generally do not offer compensation for injuries unless people take legal action.
Those hurt in a slip-and-fall need enough evidence to convince an insurance company or possibly the civil courts that they deserve financial compensation for the consequences of their fall. What types of evidence are necessary for successful slip-and-fall claims?
1. Proof of the incident
People injured at businesses typically need to report the incident to management as soon as possible. Internal records can validate that the slip-and-fall occurred, which is critical for any future compensation claim. Getting the names and contact information for witnesses can also be helpful.
2. Proof of negligence
Premises liability claims typically rely on allegations of negligence on the part of a business. Taking photos or recording video of unsafe property conditions, such as spills or damaged floors, can help people prove that negligence was a major contributing factor to the incident.
3. Proof of damages
To ask for slip-and-fall compensation, an injured person must sustain economic losses. Diagnostic reports from health care providers, documentation of days away from work and other evidence of economic damages may be necessary for a successful premises liability claim.
Consulting with an attorney can help people evaluate the evidence they have already collected and determine if they are in a position to take legal action after a slip-and-fall. If a business causes a slip-and-fall, injured patrons may need guidance to understand their rights and demand accountability from a company by filing a premises liability lawsuit, and that’s okay.
