Make sure you see your doctor immediately after a slip and fall accident to have your injuries assessed.
As we travel into the depths of winter, increasingly dangerous weather will become more frequent. With these dangerous ice and snow conditions come the risk of more slip and fall injuries. These injuries can potentially lead to substantial medical expenses, time lost from work, or job loss. Property owners are responsible for keeping their premises in a safe condition. Still, depending on the circumstances, they may not be considered liable in the event of a slip and fall accident. However, if you take the following steps after experiencing a slip and fall injury, you can help to strengthen your claim and receive the appropriate compensation for your injuries.
Document the Slip and Fall Accident
If you can, you should immediately use your phone to take photos and videos of the accident scene as well as your injuries. For instance, if you fell on a wet supermarket floor, and there were no warning signs, these pictures of the scene can help prove that management was negligent.
If you are not in a condition to take photos, ask a relative or friend to go to the scene and take pictures as soon as possible if they are not already with you. Write down or record what happened right away, and if there are witnesses, obtain their information.
Follow Property Procedures
Report the Incident
If your slip and fall accident occurred in a place of business, report it to the manager. You may be required to fill out an accident report. If the slip and fall accident happened on public property, report the incident to the governing body, such as the city hall or the county.
Pay Attention to Statements
Avoid making statements that indicate that you are in any way at-fault for the slip and fall. Make a note of any statements made by store management or personnel. If someone mentions that they were aware of the dangerous conditions, this may be able to be used later to prove fault.
Seek Medical Attention
If you are injured by a slip and fall accident, and you believe you need medical attention, you should seek medical attention right away. If you do not, you risk exacerbating your injury. Failing to go to the doctor immediately could also harm your claim, and the insurance company may accuse you of acquiring the injury somewhere else. Seeing a medical professional can also help document your injuries.
Keep Records
Keep your medical records, and keep receipts for all relevant treatment expenses, including transportation and prescriptions. Failure to follow any orders for treatment allows the insurance company to claim that your injuries are not severe.
Let Simons & Goldner, P.A. Represent You
Simons & Goldner, P.A., located in Lutherville, MD, consists of two partners, Stevan G. Simons and Richard H. Goldner practicing primarily in personal injury, Worker’s Compensation, and criminal law. The partners come with decades of experience assisting clients injured by the negligence of others or injured on the job. We serve clients in the Baltimore, Towson, Essex and Dundalk area and work closely with our clients to ensure that your case moves quickly and efficiently and that you get all the benefits to which you are entitled.
Initial consultations are available by phone or in-person and are free of charge. Contact us now to schedule a consultation, or call us today at 410-296-3110. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn for advice and updates.
