Slip-and-falls at public locations can be embarrassing. They can also lead to serious injuries for the person who slips in a spill or in a puddle in front of a refrigeration unit.
Slip-and-fall incidents are all but synonymous with premises liability claims. People recognize that they can hold businesses accountable for maintaining unsafe facilities and putting customers at risk. However, many people fail to take the necessary steps to prove that the business was at fault and may unintentionally reduce their chances of getting compensation. The three steps below are all crucial to helping those with slip-and-fall injuries hold a business accountable for their losses.
Gathering evidence of unsafe conditions
Slip-and-fall claims or premises liability lawsuits typically require proof of negligence. Using a mobile phone to record video footage or take pictures of tripping hazards or unclean store spaces after an individual falls can help prove that the slip-and-fall was the result of company negligence. Images can make it clear that the business neglected its facilities. Especially if there aren’t any security cameras that captured the entire incident, gathering personal documentation of unsafe conditions may be critical to the injured party’s premises liability claim later.
Reporting the incident before leaving
Those hurt in a slip-and-fall may feel embarrassed about what just happened. While they may not want to draw attention to how they fell, they do need to ensure that the manager on duty is aware of what happened. Taking a few minutes to file an incident report can help ensure that the store’s management can preserve any evidence related to the incident. It also creates an internal paper trail that can validate the injured party’s claims later if they need to file an insurance claim or initiate a personal injury lawsuit.
Seeing a medical professional
People sometimes jump to conclusions about their medical state after a slip-and-fall. They assume that they don’t have any injuries or that their injuries are minor. However, they could have a stable fracture or a brain injury that only produces symptoms several days later. The longer the gap between when the incident occurs and when the visitor receives a medical diagnosis, the easier it may be for the business or its insurance company to raise questions about what really caused the injury. Doctors can order tests that validate the presence of internal or invisible injuries after a slip-and-fall.
Knowing what steps to take after a slip-and-fall can help people heal more readily and hold the right party financially accountable. Businesses that do not keep their premises clean and safe may be liable if visitors get hurt because they slip while shopping.