Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall or Trip and Fall Accident

Information and documentation are crucial to any personal injury case. Here are a few steps to take to help your claim.

Call for medical attention if needed; it’s important to consider medical attention right away because some injuries may be internal or may take time to appear. For example, at the time of the accident, you may feel O.K., but the next day or a few days later, you may feel miserable. This is a common occurrence after an accident. You should be careful about giving statements. It’s best to call a lawyer immediately.

Document What Caused You to Fall! Get Pictures!

This is very important. Take photographs with your cell phone or other device of the accident scene. It is very important to document what caused you to call. If it was a puddle of water or other liquid, get pictures. If it was merchandise that should not have been in the aisle or other public area, get pictures. If it was a display that was improperly placed in the public area, get pictures. If it was a hazardous or defective condition such as a missing railing or crack or hole in the floor or surface area, get pictures. Also, Look for cameras. Many retail stores and centers have cameras all over the place. Look for them and make a note of their location in relation to where you fell.

Get Names!

Get the names and contact information of any and all witnesses to the accident. This should include any employees who were on the scene or came to the scene after your accident. It is especially important to get the name of the store manager and any managers on duty at the time of the accident.

Get a Report, If Possible

Retail stores and business do not like providing written reports to the injured party. You should insist on report anyway. If you can’t get a report, make one yourself. Write down what happened. Even the lightest ink is better than the best memory. Then call a qualified personal injury lawyer.