While these accidents are not always serious, there are situations where a slip and fall in a store can result in severe injuries that require ongoing treatment, hospitalization, surgery, and rehabilitation.
After a slip and fall in a store, do you know what to do? At The Burkett Law Firm, our Corpus Christi legal team is here to help. We can ensure you take the right steps after a slip and fall accident to protect your right to compensation from the at-fault party.
Along with calling us for assistance, be sure to use the information here to avoid making a mistake that may cost you if you file a personal injury lawsuit.
Report the Incident
It does not matter where at the store your slip and fall accident occurs; you need to report it to the manager or owner immediately. Be sure you find someone who is in charge and that they fill out an incident report about what happened.
You need to get a copy of this report to retain for your records.
Ensure the report includes what caused the accident, your injuries, and any other factors that may matter.
Seek Medical Treatment
After a slip and fall accident, you need to seek medical treatment immediately. If you fall and can not move, do not try to. Ask someone to call for help.
If you can move after a slip-and-fall accident, be careful when you get up. Even if you do not feel like you were injured, you should still be checked out by a doctor.
Sometimes, injuries can take hours, days, or weeks to appear. Getting medical attention immediately after the accident will ensure that these hidden issues are found and treated. Also, you will have official documentation of what happened and the injuries you sustained.
If you file a personal injury lawsuit down the road, this documentation will play a huge role in your ability to recover compensation for your injuries.
Be sure to gather all the medical documents related to the accident. Some of the documents you need to have included the following:
- Reports about your diagnosis and treatment
- All medical bills
- Invoices and receipts related to the incident
- Notes you have taken of conversations you have had with doctors
- Rehabilitation or physical progress reports and bills
These documents will show how severe your injuries were from the slip and fall incident.
Take Note of Your Surroundings and the Accident Scene
In situations where you can understand what happened to you, be sure to note the accident scene and any details of the environment. While you are trying to “take everything in,” consider the following questions:
- What caused you to slip or fall?
- What conditions were present that led to your fall?
- Was anyone with you during your fall that could be a witness?
- Did anyone else see what happened?
- Could your fall have been prevented?
- What part of your body hurts or is in pain?
You may want to take photos of the accident scene and any conditions that may have played a role in your slip and fall. It is also smart to take photos of any visible bodily injuries.
Learn About Your Legal Options
If you experienced a slip and fall accident because of the property manager, owner, or an employee’s negligence, you could likely hold the store liable for the damages you incurred.
Remember, it is usually the insurance company for the store you will deal with, and in some cases, when liability is clear, they will offer a settlement.
While it can be tempting to accept the settlement you are offered, it may not be in your best interest. The first settlement offers are usually low – much lower than what your accident and injuries are truly worth. The insurance company hopes you will accept before realizing this or speaking to a personal injury attorney.
At The Burkett Law Firm, we encourage anyone who is injured in a slip-and-fall accident to contact us immediately. We can collect evidence related to the incident and negotiate with the other party’s insurance company to ensure you receive a fair settlement offer.
We are here to help with your claim and ensure you receive fair compensation for the injuries and losses caused by your slip and fall accident. Call us today to schedule a free initial consultation.
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