(Newswire.net — May 18, 2022) — A slip and fall is a serious injury, so it should not be taken lightly. Even if you initially feel fine after the accident, it is crucial to seek medical attention to ensure no damage may appear later.
If you have found yourself the victim of a slip and fall accident, there are steps that you can take to file a claim. Start by contacting the authorities and making a report. Seek medical assistance and contact a lawyer for further guidance.
Contact the Authorities and Make a Report
If you slip and fall in a retail store let the manager know. If it happens at work, let your supervisor know. If you slip and fall outside, call emergency personnel. The key is to let someone know what happened and get a written account of the accident.
The moment you are able, create your report by answering the following questions:
- What time of day did the slip and fall occur?
- What were the conditions at the time the slip and fall occurred?
- What type of shoes were you wearing?
- Did anyone witness your fall? Did you get their contact information?
- Was the accident inside or outside the facility or building?
- Was the pavement or floor wet when you fell?
- Were there any obstructions that made you fall?
- Did any store or corporate staff attend to you after the fall?
Gather Evidence
Take photos of the scene of the slip and fall accident. Was the floor wet? Was there a wet floor sign present? Take a picture of any raised sidewalks or obstructions.
Take photos or videos of icy pavement or product spills. This evidence will come in handy later when you file your claim. Remember to record your injuries as well. Continue to document them if they worsen.
Get Medical Attention
You may not feel pain immediately following your slip and fall. You may feel fine for hours afterward due to the adrenaline flowing through your body. This is dangerous because you may truly be injured and not discover it until later when more damage is done.
Allow the first responders to treat you at the scene and follow up with your doctor, attending any scheduled appointments. Seeking medical care immediately after the injury and respecting your doctor’s appointments will also help your claim. These actions attest to the severity of the accident. It also shows that you are doing all you can to heal faster.
File a Slip and Fall Claim
A slip and fall claim is not something you should try to handle on your own. The process is complex, and even one wrong move can endanger your claim.
Retail stores and corporations are constant targets for fraudulent slip and fall claims, so they have entire departments dedicated to fighting people just like you. Therefore, you will need adequate representation to win the case.
In addition, there are limits on how much time you have to file your claim, so waiting even one day can mean your case is no longer valid. You will need a slip and fall accident lawyer based in Charleston to help you file your claim and walk you through the steps.
Once your claim is filed, there will be an exchange of evidence, and hopefully, the two sides will reach an agreement. If not, there will be a trial, and you will present your evidence to the court for a determination.
The Value of Legal Counsel
Many law firms offer a free case evaluation to potential clients. Whether or not you decide to proceed with that company, will be completely up to you. However, this can be a valuable opportunity to address some of the more pressing issues of your case.
There is great value in receiving expert legal counsel. An attorney can help you build a strong case and increase your chances of a high award.
Kerry L. Tucker
Early in his journalism college years, Kerry had a revelation: there were not nearly enough law communicators. People’s difficulties in understanding the law, procedures, and how the justice system worked stemmed from the fact that no one took the patience to explain complicated matters to them. Therefore, he took upon him the task of helping people navigate legal matters easier. He works with attorneys and other legal journalists, and spends time doing research so that everyone – from a mother whose child got a bike injury to a company needing insurance counsel – to find the actionable answers they are looking for.