Take the Right Steps To Get on the Right Footing Following a Slip and Fall Accident

Slip and fall accidents are sudden. One moment you’re walking along, and the next, you’re flat on the ground. After a fall, there are steps you should take before contacting an attorney who handles slip and fall cases. Following these steps is crucial for pursuing your claim.

Step 1: Check Yourself for Injuries

Catch your breathe and assess your physical condition. Don’t try and get up and move right away, as you can exacerbate any injuries you’ve suffered.

Step 2: Gather Eyewitness Information

If there were eyewitnesses to the incident, make sure to get the names, phone numbers, and addresses of the people who saw you fall or responded to assist you after the fall.

Step 3: Record and Report the Incident

Take photographs/video of the scene to document conditions. If the slip and fall occurred at a business, residence, or apartment building, file a report in writing with the property owner. If it occurred at a city building, file the report with the appropriate authority.

Step 4: Get Medical Treatment

Always undergo a thorough medical examination following a slip and fall accident. This documents bruises, broken bones, lacerations, and other injuries. This is important evidence that supports your claim.

Step 5: Create a Slip and Fall Folder

Many cases are won, and many cases are lost, based on the evidence that supports the claim. Often, evidence gets lost because it was not properly stored. Building a folder keeps everything together and reduces the possibility of loss. Your folder should contain copies of medical records, receipts for treatments and medications, contact information for eyewitnesses, communications with insurers and property owners, and communication with your attorney.

Step 6: Back Up Your Folder

Follow the rule of 3: One copy for you, one copy for your attorney, and one copy for a file you keep in a secure location, such as a safety deposit box.

Step 7: Pursue Your Claim

Slip and fall cases don’t conclude overnight. It will take time to file the claim, pursue the case, and recover a settlement. That is why we encourage you to contact Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. at (303) 447-1144 as soon as possible so that our team can start the process. Our team will work hard to recover compensation for your claim in the shortest time possible.