3 Steps You Should Always Take After a Slip and Fall Accident

 Posted on March 16, 2020 in Premises Liability

A serious fall accident can happen to anyone. Something as simple as an unsecured rug, spilled liquid, broken step, unstable handrail, or loose floorboard can cause an individual to fall and be seriously hurt. Fall accidents can cause injuries that require extensive hospitalization, surgery, and long-term physical therapy. A person who suffers a fall can also be left unable to work or enjoy life as he or she could before the accident. When a party’s negligence causes an individual to experience a fall accident, the party may be liable for the injured person’s damages. If you ever suffer a serious fall, there are three steps you should take.

Step 1: Go to the Emergency Room or Visit Your Doctor As Soon As Possible

Elderly individuals and those with disabilities are at an increased risk of being hurt in a serious fall.  However, even if you are a relatively healthy person, a slip and fall accident can cause you significant physical harm that results in long-lasting consequences. Traumatic brain injuries and spine injuries caused by a fall are especially concerning. The symptoms of traumatic brain injury are often subtle and the injured person may not immediately realize how hurt he or she actually is.

If you fall and hit your head or suffer any other bodily injury, get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible. Not only will getting medical treatment help prevent your injuries from worsening, it may also protect your ability to collect compensation in the future. Medical records detailing your injuries are almost always needed for a successful personal injury lawsuit.

Step 2: Report the Fall Accident to the Property Owner or Manager

Property owners have a responsibility to keep their premises free of unreasonable hazards. Although property owners cannot prevent every injury that occurs on their properties, they have a legal duty to prevent avoidable injuries. Whether you were injured on a residential property or a commercial property such as a store, restaurant, bar, hotel, or apartment complex, report the accident to the person in charge of the property. If the property owner is not available, report the accident to a manager, supervisor, or other person of authority.

Step 3: Document Any Dangerous Conditions and Gather Witness Contact Information

In order to collect compensation for fall injuries caused by negligence, you and your attorney will need to prove that the property owner or manager’s carelessness caused your fall. If you are able to do so safely, take pictures of any hazardous conditions that led to your fall. Also, collect contact information from any witnesses to the accident. When you have a moment to do so, write down everything you can remember about the events that led up to the fall accident.

Contact a Waukegan Fall Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one were hurt in a preventable fall accident, contact Salvi & Maher, L.L.C. to learn about your options for compensation. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical costs, pain and suffering, lost income, and more.  Schedule a free consultation with a skilled Lake County personal injury attorney by calling our office at 847-662-3303.

Source:

https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html