Rather you are at work, the grocery store, a restaurant, a gas station, church, or simply walking down the sidewalk, a slip-and-fall accident can happen to anyone, at any time, at any place causing serious injury, disability, or even death. Knowing what to do after a slip, trip, and fall is critical to receiving the compensation you need for your recovery.
What Steps Should You Take After a Slip-and-Fall?
- Seek Medical Attention – your health is the priority. Immediately get medical attention after the fall from an ambulance, emergency room, urgent care, or your family physician. Be sure to tell your medical provider when, where, and how the injury happened. Doing so will help establish a link between the accident and your injuries.
- Report the Accident – a business, property owner, or employer should complete an “incident” or “accident” report after the fall. If they do not, request a form to be completed. Having an incident report can strengthen your personal injury claim against the negligent party. Be sure to keep a copy for yourself.
- Document Everything – if possible, collect witness contact information and takes pictures of the area where the fall occurred before obstructions are removed or warning signs posted. You may consider contacting a personal injury attorney who can send a preservation letter requiring any video footage of the accident to be saved. Video can provide a non-biased perspective of the accident and help prove acts of negligence.
- Limit What You Say – decline or limit conversations with the at-fault parties’ insurance adjuster, property manager, or homeowner until you have completed your treatment or find a slip and fall lawyer to represent and speak for you. Additionally, DO NOT post comments or pictures regarding your accident and injuries on social media.
Should I Get A Lawyer for a Slip-and-Fall Accident?
Missouri law allows accident victims to seek financial compensation for their injuries from at-fault parties to help pay for fall-related medical expenses, lost wages, physical pain, and other damages.
Slip-and-fall accidents can be incredibly complicated because responsibility may fall on more than one party. An experienced and qualified personal injury attorney can help you discover who is responsible for your injuries, connect you to qualified medical providers, and relieve the stress of managing your personal injury claim on your own. They will not only help you find justice but can help enact change to protect others.
If you have been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, don’t hesitate to contact Finney Injury Law today to get the help you deserve.
The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available are for general informational purposes only. The information provided should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer-client relationship. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon an advertisement.