Whether you’re shopping, walking down a sidewalk, or visiting an apartment building, a sudden fall can lead to serious injuries and unexpected complications. This blog will equip you with the information to handle a slip-and-fall accident in a public place. We’ll discuss your first steps, proving liability, and why having a lawyer on your team will make the process easier.
What to do After a Public Slip and Fall Accident
Stay Calm and Take Care of Yourself
Staying level-headed after an injury is vital to avoid doing anything that may jeopardize your chances of winning a personal injury claim. If you have been seriously injured, your priority should be your safety, so be sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
If you have someone with you, ask them to handle the following steps on your behalf while you see a doctor. If you have been injured but can move around and think clearly, you can proceed with the following steps.
Report Your Injury
The next step depends on where you fell. If you were in a store or apartment building, you should try to contact the manager or landlord to let them know you were injured in an area they are responsible for. Do not go into detail in this conversation; only state the facts.
Tell the property owner where the accident happened and that you have been hurt. A government entity may be responsible if you fall outside, so you should contact law enforcement. If the police are called, ensure that you ask for a copy of their incident report to use in your claim.
Collect Evidence
Evidence is crucial to building a personal injury case should you decide to file a claim against the responsible party. You must inspect the area and determine what caused your fall because you may have tripped over something irresponsibly left in a public walkway. If there are people around who saw what happened, ask them if they would be willing to make a statement and collect their contact information.
Once you have collected your thoughts, writing down a first-hand account of the experience before too much time passes is essential. Your memory may become foggy with time, and your point of view will be valuable for your claim. You must also take photos and videos of the area that clearly show the conditions that led to your fall.
Document your injuries to show the extent of the physical damage. Ask your doctor for a complete medical report, and keep every document you receive meticulously organized. Medical bills, x-rays, prescriptions, physical therapy bills, etc., are all essential evidence for an injury claim.
It can also be helpful to keep an injury journal to track how the injury affects your daily life, all medical treatment you need, and how long it takes to heal.
Contact a Lawyer
Hiring a lawyer for a personal injury claim is not mandatory but can simplify the entire process. Dealing with property owners and insurance companies can be stressful, and they may attempt to take advantage of you if they notice you don’t have a legal defense.
Avoid speaking to the property owner, their insurance, or their lawyer without your lawyer. Do not make any statements, written or recorded, as they may be used against you later on. Unless you are in official legal proceedings making a statement, your lawyer can handle all communications on your behalf to prevent any bad faith practices or manipulation.
Common Causes of Public Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents happen frequently in a variety of public settings. Public areas can be unpredictable, and there may be new daily obstacles. Even places you visit often can be dangerous. Some of the most common causes of slip and fall injuries include:
- Uneven surfaces like potholes, cracked pavement, poorly constructed walkways, and open maintenance holes.
- Badly lit areas such as walkways, underground parking lots, and stairwells.
- Tripping hazards like fallen products in a store, construction debris, messy cables, overflowing trash cans, and cluttered shop aisles.
- Wet surfaces where liquids have spilled or floors have been cleaned without adequate warning signage.
Injuries Caused by Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall injuries can be minor, like bumps and bruises, but they can also be severe and, in some cases, life-threatening. Some of the injuries typically caused by slip-and-fall accidents include torn ligaments, sprains, broken bones, head injuries, and spinal cord damage.
These injuries can lead to limited mobility, affecting your ability to do your job and leading to lost income. Head injuries commonly lead to concussions, brain damage, and long-term difficulties with speaking, eating, and walking. Spinal cord damage can cause chronic pain disorders or paralysis that can alter your life permanently.
Who is Liable for a Slip-and-Fall Accident in a Public Place?
The liable party will be the person who failed to perform their expected duty of care, which led to your injury. For example, the shop owner can be liable if you tripped on a recently mopped floor in a store because there were no signs. In this case, they failed in their duty to ensure that appropriate warnings were in place when the floor was wet to protect their customers.
Another example is if you trip over a crack in the pavement, the municipal government can be held liable because they must provide safe walkways for residents and repair the damage promptly. To prove liability in a slip and fall injury case, you and your lawyer will need to show evidence of the following:
- That the owner/manager knew about the hazard
- That they failed to remove/repair the hazard
- Your injury resulted directly from their failure
- You suffered damages from that injury
Compensation You Can Seek After a Slip and Fall Accident
Some of the damages you may incur after a slip and fall accident can include:
- Medical expenses, including treatment, medication, and physical therapy
- Lost wages from being unable to work temporarily or permanently
- Emotional distress due to your injuries or the accident
- Personal property damage such as phones, glasses, laptops, etc.
- Loss of earning potential due to permanent disabilities
Your Action Plan After a Public Fall
Falling and injuring yourself in a public place can be embarrassing, stressful, and disorienting. Following the steps outlined in this blog, from seeking medical attention to collecting evidence and consulting a lawyer, you can protect your rights and confidently seek compensation.
Contact HHJ Trial Attorneys for a free consultation so we can discuss your case and start planning the best strategy to obtain the compensation you deserve. We are here to support you and protect your rights through every step.
