South Florida Injury Attorneys Blog
It is important to understand the necessary steps to take after you or a loved one experiences a slip and fall accident. Not taking these steps could result in long term health issues and hefty medical expenses.
The first thing you should do after sustaining a slip and fall injury is to seek immediate medical attention from a healthcare professional. If you avoid an immediate medical examination, it could end up costing you in more ways than one.
Inquiring with a licensed attorney could be essential to obtain the compensation you may need for medical care, lost wages from missing work, and other expenses related to your injury. The slip and fall attorneys at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers are available to listen to the details of your claim during a free consultation. If you have a viable claim in the West Palm Beach area (by appointment only), we may be able to help you recover the fair amount of compensation you deserve.
The Importance of Seeking Immediate Medical Care
If you avoid seeking immediate medical attention, your injuries could worsen over time. Even what may seem to be a minor ailment at first, could end up becoming a more serious and lingering health problem later, if not treated immediately. For example, an untreated neck injury could result in serious nerve damage which may cause future problems with mobility and other issues.
Another reason you should seek medical care as soon as possible is because the insurance companies can use this against you if you refuse to do so. If you do not provide proof that you were immediately examined by a healthcare professional, they could say that your injury was caused by something other than what you claim and use this to deny or delay your compensation.
Personal injury claims require proof, so it is important that you save all your medical receipts and attend all recommended follow-up appointments. If you fail to attend these appointments, insurers could devalue your claim and say that your injury could have improved had you attended your appointments.
Report the Accident
After you seek medical attention, we recommend contacting the local police to file a report regarding your slip and fall accident. You should also try to notify the property owner about the incident and record his or her contact information.
If your slip and fall injury occurred in a business, notify the business owner or manager. If the accident occurred on government property, notify the corresponding agency.
When you file your report, do not admit fault and avoid providing too many details. Only provide basic facts about the accident and avoid opinionated statements. You can discuss the details with your lawyer later.
Gather Evidence
If you are able to do so, try to gather as much evidence as possible that will help prove how your injury was sustained. Take pictures of your injury and anything around that may have contributed to it. For example, if your slip and fall was caused by damaged flooring, take a picture of the damaged area to further strengthen your claim.
Some common hazards that could cause a slip and fall and may be photographed, include:
- Torn carpets or rugs
- Broken steps or handrails
- Poor lighting
- Wet or polished floors
- Uneven pavements
- Liquid or food spills
- Loose wires or cords
- Debris or other objects in a walkway
Look around the accident site to see if you notice any video cameras that may have captured footage of the accident. This could provide substantial evidence that may help prove your claim. If your claim is validated, our attorneys may be able to obtain the footage from the property owner.
Record Witness Information
Sometimes, there may be witnesses around who saw exactly what happened and how an accident occurred. It is important to try and record the names and contact information of any credible witnesses to help validate your claim. Witness statements can sometimes hold significant weight in a personal injury claim.
Recording a witness statement on video, (with their permission, of course), could be a valuable asset for your claim. Your lawyer may also contact the witness on your behalf to ask for a statement or to testify, if necessary.
Avoid Communicating With Others
You should try to avoid speaking with too many people about your slip and fall accident until the case is settled. Refrain from posting anything on social media regarding your injury, as this could be used against you while your claim is being evaluated.
Insurance companies are known for trying to deny or devalue injury claims. Sometimes they use what is known as “bad faith tactics” to avoid making huge payouts to injury victims. Your lawyer can handle all communication with insurers on your behalf to maintain the proper value of your claim.
Contact a Lawyer You Can Trust
Property owners in the state of Florida have a legal obligation to keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition. If the property owner was aware or should have been aware of a dangerous condition, an injury victim may have the right to file a personal injury claim under premises liability law.
The licensed attorneys at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers strive to properly review our clients’ slip and fall cases to help them obtain the adequate compensation for their damages caused by the negligence of other parties. Our distinguished attorneys aim to protect the rights of the people throughout Florida, including West Palm Beach (by appointment only).
Call or contact us online today for a no-cost, no-obligation evaluation of your claim. Our team of legal professionals is available 24/7. Your information will always be kept completely confidential.
Learn more about your rights for legal compensation. Call Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers at (855) 800-8000