According to the National Floor Safety Institute, Slip And Fall Accidents account for over 1 million hospital visits annually. Around one million Americans suffer a slip and fall injury each year, of which fifteen percent are job-related injuries.
The slip and fall injuries are divided into two types: same-level falls and elevated falls. The former is more common, however, the latter is more dangerous, with an occupational fatality rate of 10 percent.
Slip And Fall Accidents – 5 Steps & Tips After Accident
According to the de la Garza Law Group, whose firm boasts a top-notch personal injury lawyer, slip and fall accidents fall under premises liability, which means that you can sue for damages if you can prove the negligence of the building owner.
If you accidentally slip and trip on someone’s property—whether a business, public place, or even a home—you can follow the tips below to ensure they don’t get away with their negligence.
Seek Medical Attention
What to do after a slip and fall accident? It goes without saying that the first thing you should do is seek medical treatment right away. Slip and fall injuries can be fatal if not attended to and can affect your spinal cord, cause head trauma, and in extreme cases, even death.
It is also essential to document every detail that might be pertinent to future visits to doctors and could help your case if you decide to file a lawsuit. When possible, take down the contact information of any witnesses to your slip and fall accident.
In addition to this, you should also take clear photographs of the exact spot you fell and anything on the floor, such as water, that made it harder for you to get up. The clothes and shoes you are wearing at the time of the accident, and your medical documents can also prove valuable in the investigation.
Find A Support Group
Having a support group in the aftermath of a slip and fall accident can also help you get back on your feet. There are many people just like you that have suffered rough injuries after a slip and fall accident. You can sit with them and listen to their stories to feel better and share positivity and healing.
Focus on Physical Rehab
Slip and fall accidents can also cause hip injuries, herniated disks, and brain injuries. It is essential to get help from a professional after a slip and fall accident.
Physiotherapy Services and rehab can help you heal quickly through proven scientific methods and protect you from further pain and misery. You can also recover the amount you spend on physical therapy from the negligent owner if you win a slip and fall case.
Consult With A Personal Injury Lawyer (Slip And Fall Accidents)
It would help if you got in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. The lawyer will investigate the scene and make legal observations. They will be in charge of gathering evidence, talking to witnesses, securing surveillance videos, and filing all legal documents.
Most importantly, it will be your lawyer’s responsibility to ascertain the amount payable by the negligent owner in damages. For this purpose, the lawyer can call in different experts and use their knowledge to assess the owner’s negligence and how much damages they are liable to pay.
It is also quite challenging to prove the damages incurred, especially non-economic ones such as emotional suffering due to the accident in a court of law. Most claimants do not have the experience of visiting courts and attending hearings, and this is precisely why you should consult a personal injury lawyer.
There are some points you need to prove to establish negligence on the owner’s behalf. These might include:
- The duration of the hazardous obstacle was long enough that a reasonable property owner could have removed it in that timeframe.
- The lighting in the area where the accident took place was of poor quality.
- The dangerous object which caused the accident was not routinely checked for potential threats.
- There was not sufficient staff on the premises to take care of anything that could have prevented accidents.
Stay Calm
What happens if you fall at work? It is also vital that you avoid giving any statement to the public after the slip and fall accident, as there is a chance your statement may be used against you by the defendant.
You should remain calm, avoid social media, and only give a public comment after talking to your lawyer. Staying objective and avoiding the blame game can help you win the case more quickly.
Final Thoughts:
Slip and fall accidents can take a heavy toll on your wallet as medical expenses and traumatize you emotionally for a long time. You should stand up for yourself and sue the property owner for his negligent behavior and recover every penny you lost because of emotional, physical, and financial trauma.