Slip and fall injuries occur suddenly and can cause very serious damage to your body. If you or a loved one has experienced this type of accident, you need to make sure you are taking the right steps to not only recover medically, but also protect your legal rights. In many instances, slip-and-fall accidents are caused by the negligence of another party, and you can file a lawsuit to get compensated for your injuries as well as the pain and suffering you experienced because of them. In order to protect your claim, make sure you take the following important steps immediately after your accident.
Seek Medical Attention
The first thing you need to do is seek medical attention after a slip-and-fall injury. Even if you don’t feel like the injury was extreme, you need to get checked out since many problems won’t present themselves for hours, days, or even weeks after the fall. In addition to being important for your overall wellbeing, you will need to have medical records available should you decide to file a legal claim.
Let the Property Owner Know
When you are injured on someone else’s property, you need to let them know about the event. Making them aware will give them the opportunity to address whatever safety issue was present that caused your injury so that it doesn’t happen to anyone else. This may also be important as the property owner will need to notify their insurance company of a potential lawsuit.
Gather Evidence
As soon as you are able, begin gathering evidence about what happened when you were injured. Write down your recollection of the events as accurately as you can so that you don’t forget any details. If possible, take pictures of the area where the slip occurred. If there was ice, water, or something else contributing to the slip, make sure to get a picture of that as well. Additionally, gather evidence of your actual injuries. If you have a cut or bruise, take pictures of them. Any medical records you can get from your doctor should also be obtained.
Document Everything
If you have to go to physical therapy or follow-up doctor’s appointments, make sure you document this. If you have to miss any work due to the fall, document that as well. Any conversations that you have with the property owner, a doctor, or anyone else about this event, you should either write it down or record it.
Talk to An Attorney
Talking to a personal injury attorney will help ensure you are aware of all your rights, and you can get professional advice on what you need to do next. Contact John M. Totten to set up a consultation and discuss your situation today.
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