Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere. From a friend or family member’s property to commercial premises to land owned by the government, lawful visitors can suffer serious injuries due to a wide range of slipping and tripping hazards.
You have rights if you slipped and fell due to a dangerous condition on someone else’s property. However, you have a limited time to exert your rights and pursue compensation for a slip and fall accident.
A slip and fall lawyer can help you protect your rights. There are also a number of steps you can take on your own to hold the negligent property owner or occupant accountable.
1. Check Yourself for Injuries
Falls should always be taken seriously. Before you try to move, it is important to perform a visual inspection for any visible signs of injury. You should also heed any “warning signs” your body sends you, such as pain, numbness, difficulty moving, etc.
Slip and fall accidents can lead to injuries such as:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Damage to joints, muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissue
- Abrasions and lacerations
Don’t try to get to your feet too quickly or move around excessively before you can confirm the severity of your injuries. Ignoring symptoms can result in a second fall and/or make any injuries you have sustained worse.
2. Dial 911
If you are seriously injured or just don’t “feel right” in the aftermath of a slip and fall, you should call for help immediately. Paramedics can evaluate you, determine how serious your injuries are, and transport you to the emergency room if necessary.
Your well-being should be your foremost priority after a slip and fall accident. Although proving negligence is essential for the success of your slip and fall claim, it is generally in your best interest to seek medical attention for serious injuries first and then hire a slip and fall lawyer to handle the other aspects of your claim.
3. Take Photos
NOTE: The following steps only apply if you do not require immediate medical attention after the slip and fall accident.
If you can move about the area safely where the fall occurred, you should start documenting the scene while the dangerous condition is still present. The best way to do that is to photograph the property.
Take pictures of anything that you think may have contributed to the slip and fall accident, including:
- Wet floors
- Cracked tiles, pavement, etc.
- Exposed cords and wires
- Damaged stairs
- Missing handrails
- Objects and debris on the floor
- Inadequate lighting
Your photos should also capture the absence of safety measures that could have prevented the slip and fall. For example, your photographs should show whether there were any caution signs in the vicinity of a slippery floor.
4. Speak to Witnesses
If anyone saw the slip and fall accident, ask for their name and contact information, as well as a description of what they saw. Witness testimony can help to support your claim that the owner, tenant, and/or occupant was negligent and their negligence led to your injuries.
5. Check for Cameras
Surveillance cameras come in many shapes and sizes. If there are cameras on the premises and/or nearby properties that may have captured the slip and fall, make a note of it. A slip and fall lawyer can obtain the footage on your behalf.
6. Notify Someone in Authority of the Slip and Fall Accident
Any accident should be reported immediately to the party in possession and/or control of the premises. Landlords, property management companies, commercial businesses, and government agencies will likely have a procedure in place for reporting the accident.
You may be asked to fill out a form documenting the slip and fall accident. Completing this document is important because it creates an official record of the accident. However, you need to be cautious in the information you provide both verbally and in writing.
Don’t say anything to suggest that you may have been at fault for the slip and fall accident. Just stick to the facts and provide an accurate account to the best of your knowledge and ability.
7. Go to the Doctor
Even if your injuries do not appear serious at first, you need a complete record of them to prove that you were hurt in the slip and fall. Furthermore, timely medical attention is crucial for diagnosing injuries that could become serious if they are not caught early (ex: concussions, disc injuries, etc.).
It is crucial to follow the doctor’s orders once you receive treatment. This may involve medication and rest in minor cases or surgery and rehabilitation if your injuries are significant.
8. Do NOT Talk to the Insurance Company
Slip and fall accidents and other premises liability claims are covered by insurance. Once you have reported the accident to the property owner or occupant, a representative for the insurance company may try to contact you. If this happens, it is in your best interest not to answer their questions or provide information.
The insurance company has one goal: Pay you as little as possible. However, adjusters will try to convince you that they are on your side. They will make seemingly reasonable requests such as asking for your side of the story, requesting access to your medical records, and more.
Any and all information you provide to the insurer could be used against you. Instead, you should contact a slip and fall lawyer at once and refer any subsequent inquiries to your attorney.
9. Keep Detailed Records
Ideally, you would be able to focus on recovering from your injuries after a slip and fall accident. Unfortunately, you are likely to be bombarded with paperwork and bills that make healing hard to prioritize.
For your slip and fall claim to succeed, it is important to keep any and all pertinent information organized. This includes:
- Medical bills
- Copies of your medical records
- Letters, messages, and other communications with your doctor
- Communications with your employer, if you are unable to work
- Insurance and explanation of benefits statements
- Copies of the slip and fall accident report
- Receipts for out-of-pocket expenses
You should also keep a written record of day-to-day challenges you face as a result of your slip and fall injuries. This could include pain levels, inability to perform daily tasks, and more.
10. Contact a Slip and Fall Lawyer
Slip and fall accident claims can be complicated. Property owners and occupants commonly dispute liability for injuries people sustain on their premises, and insurance companies will do what they can to limit payouts regardless of the harm suffered by victims.
In addition, there is a limited window in which you can bring a slip and fall accident claim. Most personal injury claims in Connecticut (including those involving dangerous premises) are subject to a 2-year statute of limitations (see Connecticut General Statutes § 52-584). There can be additional time limits if you fall on property owned by a city or the State of Connecticut, which is why it is important to contact an attorney right away.
A slip and fall lawyer can protect your rights and interests and fight for the full compensation you deserve. Your attorney can determine who is liable for the slip and fall accident, collect evidence on your behalf, and account for all of the damages to which you are entitled.
Claimants who are represented by a lawyer tend to recover more in compensation than those who try to handle claims on their own. By hiring a slip and fall lawyer, you are more likely to receive a fair settlement or win at trial.
Learn How The Flood Law Firm Can Help with Your Slip and Fall Claim
The Flood Law Firm has extensive experience handling premises liability claims. Our slip and fall attorneys are well-versed in the challenges victims face after a slip and fall accident, and we are here to handle the red tape so you can dedicate time to your recovery.
Every member of staff at The Flood Law Firm truly believes in our mission to hold negligent defendants and insurance companies accountable when innocent people get hurt. Unlike many other law firms in the area, The Flood Law Firm will not hesitate to file a lawsuit and take your case to trial if that’s what is required to obtain the compensation you deserve. Our results speak for themselves.
Please call The Flood Law Firm at (860) 346-2695 today for a free case review. Our slip and fall lawyers serve clients throughout Connecticut from offices in Middletown, Danbury, Waterbury, and Bridgeport.
