What a Slip and Fall Victim Can Do to Protect His or Her Rights

In order to protect your rights after a slip and fall accident, you should:

• First seek immediate medical attention
• Report the fall to the management of the business establishment
• Contact the police
• Take photographs of the accident scene, if possible
• Obtain witness contact information
• Write down your experience of the accident

A slip and fall victim can also protect his or her rights by contacting a slip and fall attorney for assistance and advice.

You Should Seek Medical Attention to Ensure Your Safety

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 20% of all slip and fall accidents result in severe injuries which may include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Concussions
• Fractured or broken bones
• Internal organ damage or bleeding
• Cuts
• Bruising
• Death

In most cases, the level of severity of the injuries will also depend on the health and age of the slip and fall victim. However, slip and fall cases can cause permanent paralysis, life-long injuries, or temporary or permanent disabilities that make it impossible for a victim to return to work.

Seeking immediate medical attention following an accident protects not only his or her health, but their legal rights as well. If you are evaluated by a medical professional following your slip and fall accident, there will be an established record by a physician indicating their diagnosis, recommended medical treatment, and prognosis regarding your injuries. This medical record can be critical to protecting your legal rights in your slip and fall accident case and can strengthen your testimony when pursuing fair compensation for your injuries.

Report Your Slip and Fall Accident

If you slipped and fell in any kind of a business establishment, you need to report the slip and fall accident to a manager or supervisor before you leave the property. This report creates a record of the slip and fall accident and places the company on notice regarding any slip and fall accident case you may bring (with respect to compensation for your injuries).

According to the National Floor Safety Institute, slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of emergency room visits; if your slip and fall injury is severe enough, you may want to consider contacting the police or an ambulance to take you to receive immediate medical attention at a hospital.

Photograph the Accident Scene

If it is possible for you to do so (or to request someone else to do so), take as many photographs of the accident scene as possible. This is important as it will establish a record regarding the actual condition of the area in which you slipped and fell, such as a wet floor, poor lighting, or any other dangerous or hazardous condition on the property. Additionally, take photographs of your injuries and the clothing and shoes you were wearing.

Oftentimes, a property owner will attempt to transfer liability to you by saying that you were wearing inappropriate footwear that caused the slip and fall accident. Any photographs that can prove that the business establishment was negligent in their duty to provide a safe premises for visitors will help protect your legal rights.

Obtain Witness Contact Information for a Later Interview

If you are able to do so, obtain all names and contact information of any witnesses that were present at the time of your slip, trip, and fall accident. These witnesses can prove invaluable regarding the establishment of liability. They can also ensure that your legal rights are protected by confirming your side of the slip and fall accident story.

Keep a Journal About the Accident and How it Affects You

In many cases, your slip and fall accident injuries may have resulted in substantial pain and suffering. A slip and fall victim can protect his or her rights by making sure to keep a daily journal of all of their pain levels, medication taken, doctor’s visits, and psychological suffering. If there are any daily activities you can no longer perform—such as cooking, cleaning, picking up your children, or returning to work—note those as well.

Additionally, you can include any other accident-related expenses you may have incurred, such as the need for additional transportation to doctor’s appointments or home healthcare or housekeeping. This journal can prove invaluable to offer evidence of how the slip and fall injury impacted your daily life and your financial situation.

Contact Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers

If you slipped and fell on someone else’s property, one of the steps you should follow to protect your legal rights is to contact a slip and fall injury attorney. You may be facing substantial costs associated with your medical bills, pain and suffering, the inability to return to work resulting in loss of wages, and additional accident-related expenses.

Contact a slip and fall injury attorney today at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers at (855) 529-0269. We can help you understand your legal rights, help you ensure that you follow specific protocols to protect your legal rights, and help you learn how you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries and losses.