South Florida Injury Attorneys Blog
One moment you’re walking down the street, and the next moment you find yourself on the ground. Injuries from a slip and fall accident can range from minor scrapes and bruises to more serious injuries like head trauma or broken bones.
When this happens, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about what steps to take next. Understanding your rights to protect yourself and get the compensation you deserve is important. Lucky for you, we are here to help. We’ll share what steps you should take if you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, as well as provide resources to help ensure your rights are protected.
Get Medical Treatment Without Delay
If you’ve recently experienced a slip and fall accident, the first thing you should do is get medical attention. Don’t risk your health by trying to tough it out or brush off the injury—you need to be seen by a doctor as soon as possible.
Even if you don’t think your injuries are serious, having them checked out is still important. Many times, the full extent of an injury isn’t immediately apparent—delayed symptoms may take days or weeks to surface. Additionally, minor injuries can worsen over time if left untreated, so it’s best to rule out any potential complications early on.
Once you receive medical treatment for your injury, make sure that you keep all of your documentation—including medical bills and records showing treatments received. This will help you when it comes time to pursue legal action or file an insurance claim.
Do not accept blame or assign blame
After seeking medical attention, the next thing you should do if you’ve been injured from a slip and fall accident is to refrain from talking about how it occurred. Whether it be the property owner, an employee, or someone else, don’t accept blame for the accident nor assign blame to anyone else.
If the other party insists that you are at fault for slipping and falling, repeat that you are not sure why or how it happened but were injured. Any statements such as “I must have been careless” can be used against you later in court.
It is important to remember that multiple parties could be at fault, which may not become apparent until an investigation has been done. Know your rights, and if possible, contact a legal professional experienced in slip and fall cases. They will help advise on what to do next and can suggest strategies for getting fair compensation.
Report Your Accident
It’s important to report your slip and fall accident as soon as possible. You should take photos of the scene and any visible injuries, record information of any witnesses, and contact a supervisor or manager at the business. Depending on where you were at the time of the fall, it may also be wise to call an ambulance or visit the emergency room—even if you don’t think you’re hurt right away, something could have been missed in the initial shock.
If you can, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options. They can help you decide whether your case merits filing a claim with the business owner, their insurance company, or both. Bear in mind that this process may take some time before an agreement is reached (or not) between all parties involved.
Document Everything
If you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, the most important thing you should do is document everything. Take pictures of where the fall occurred and any injuries you sustained. Take close-up shots that show any relevant details, like uneven tiles or the presence of obstructions. It’s also important to write down details regarding your fall’s date, time, and location.
Another important piece of documentation you should secure, if possible, is a copy of any surveillance video footage from the scene of your accident. This material can be invaluable in establishing liability for your injury, so make sure to secure it as soon as possible, as it might not be available later.
You’ll also want to collect information regarding witnesses who saw your fall, such as their names and contact info. Talking to witnesses about what they saw can help corroborate your version of events regarding how the accident happened and who was at fault.
Documenting all these details can serve as invaluable evidence in court when trying to prove who is responsible for your injury—so don’t take this step lightly!
Maintain a Case File
Maintaining a case file to document your injury, any medical treatment you may have received, and the overall costs associated with the accident is very important.
Having all of the information related to your case in one place will help your attorney build a stronger case on your behalf:
- Gather evidence: Take photos of the scene where you fell and any potential issues, like slippery surfaces or uneven pavement. Also, save physical evidence, such as shoes with worn soles, that could have contributed to the accident.
- Keep a timeline: Document when the incident occurred, when you received medical treatment, and when other actions related to your injury occurred.
- Track expenses: Record any money spent because of the fall, such as medical bills or lost wages due to missed work days or reduced hours
- Collect documents: Keep all important paperwork related to your claim in one place (this includes police reports, witness statements, and medical records).
By properly documenting these items now, you can ensure that you have all the necessary evidence should it be needed later on in court.
Decline to Give Statements
It is important to remember that after being injured in a slip and fall accident, it is in your best interest to decline to make any statements. This includes any statement made to the insurance company or anyone else not directly a part of your legal team. Insurance companies are not inherently bad but may minimize their payments by downplaying your injuries or offering you an unwarranted settlement. Your lawyer can help set up the proper communication channels with the insurance company and help you avoid accidentally saying something that could be taken out of context and used against you.
It can be difficult to turn away an insurance adjuster who is looking for a statement, but it’s important for you to remember that:
- You don’t have to give any statement without speaking to a lawyer.
- You don’t have to settle with the insurance company until your injuries have been fully assessed and documented.
- You have the right to have your lawyer present during any statements or negotiations related to your claim.
Contact A Slip and Fall Lawyer Serving in Boca Raton
If you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, you know how devastating it can be. You may be dealing with medical bills, lost wages, and even pain and suffering. That’s why it’s important to contact a slip and fall lawyer serving Boca Raton who can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers has slip and falls lawyers serving Boca Raton today. We have years of experience helping people receive fair compensation for their slip and fall injuries, both in court cases and through settlements.
When you contact Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers, we’ll provide an initial consultation to review your case and determine the best action plan. From there, we’ll provide guidance while fighting to ensure all aspects of your case are adequately addressed. We’ll work hard on your behalf to ensure that all parties involved are held accountable for their negligence.
For legal assistance with slip and fall accidents, contact Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers today at (561) 800-8000 for a free consultation!