Slip and fall accidents are very common. In fact, unintentional falls are the leading cause of injury hospitalizations in NYC for almost all age groups (and the second leading cause for ages 15-24). Slip and fall accidents can happen in a range of settings and for a number of reasons. Sometimes they occur at home, but they can also take place at work or while you are out and about. Falling can be a shock and it might also leave you with physical injuries. When you slip and fall, it’s important to follow the right steps afterward. If your fall could have been caused by someone else’s negligence, you might be able to make a claim for compensation.
If you experience a slip and fall accident, these are some of the steps you should follow to take care of both your wellbeing and your finances.
Get Medical Care
Seeking the right medical care is a priority when you have an accident. You might immediately notice that you have injured yourself and perhaps will even need to go to the hospital. In some places, there might be a dedicated person trained in first aid on site, who can help you in the first instance. There could also be some injuries that don’t require emergency attention but could benefit from seeing a doctor later.
Getting medical attention as soon as possible is a good start. It’s also important that you follow through on any medical advice and keep up with the treatment plan you are given. This might include follow-up appointments with your doctor, physical therapy, rest and time off work, pain medication, or even treatment options such as surgery.
Report the Accident
Reporting the accident as soon as you can is also one of the first steps you should take. Ideally, you should tell someone about the accident while you are still at the scene. This might include telling a member of staff in a store or making a report to your boss at work. Sometimes, there might not be a person you can report the accident to right away. You might have to find the right contact and process for filing a report later.
If your accident occurs on business or government property, there should be a formal process to follow for reporting an accident. The report should be put in writing so that it can be used as evidence later. This benefits both you and the property owner. If your accident happens elsewhere, you should still inform the property owner as soon as possible.
Document the Accident
You can also take steps to document the accident and its details yourself. It’s a good idea to have your own record of events, even if you are given a copy of the report that the property owner or manager makes. Once you have received any medical attention and made a report of the accident, make a note of any of the details that you can remember from the accident. What were you doing at the time? Were there any hazards present or any warnings about those hazards? Taking photos of the location is a good idea if you are able to.
It’s smart to write down everything you remember leading up to the accident, as well as what happened during and after. It will help you to accurately remember what happened later, which can definitely be useful. It can sometimes take months or years for a personal injury case to be processed, or even for an injury from the accident to make itself known.
Keep It to Yourself
When you have had an accident, especially if you think it was someone else’s fault, it can be tempting to tell everyone about it. You might want to spread the word if you feel that an injustice has occurred or someone has been negligent. However, it’s important not to spill too many details about what has happened if you want to file a personal injury case. You might talk about your accident in more general terms, but you should avoid going into specifics too much. This is especially the case if you find yourself having to talk to anyone representing the other party’s insurance providers. They may seem like they want to check on you or just get the facts of the case, but they could be looking for anything that might help to discredit you or reduce the amount of your claim.
Try to only talk to your lawyer and your doctor about your accident. Even when you are sharing with family and friends, it can be smart to avoid going into detail.
Speak to a Specialist Attorney
If you want to make a personal injury claim after a slip and fall accident, speaking to a specialist attorney is a must. You need a lawyer who has experience in dealing with personal injury cases and with slip and fall accidents, in particular. They should have a good understanding of how these types of personal injury cases work and how to get the best outcomes for their clients. They can also advise on whether you have a solid case or if it’s less likely you will be able to file a successful claim.
Fredric Masure is a Brooklyn personal injury attorney with more than 25 years of experience. When you need a trustworthy and compassionate lawyer to help you with a slip and fall accident case, contact our offices to find out how we can get the best results for you. Injuries from falls can range from bruises and broken bones to head injuries, and it’s important to have the right support if you choose to pursue a personal injury claim. We will be by your side throughout the process so that you don’t have to go through it alone.
Call us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney who specializes in slip and fall accidents. We will discuss your case and its details to help you understand your options and what steps you should take next.
