what do I do after an accident?
FAQS
If you’ve had a slip/trip and fall accident the most important thing is not to panic. Take a moment to gather yourself and then calmly follow these steps.
1. Ask for help
The first thing you should do when you fall is call for help. If you cannot get up, do not move. Most injuries are made worse simply by moving around. Even if you think you can get up, do not do so under your own power. Please ask for help from an employee or nearby bystander if an employee is not available. Make sure to speak to the on-site manager if one is available and get their name and telephone number. Also, make sure to get cell phone numbers and names of any witnesses to your fall.
2. Fill out an incident report
If your slip/trip and fall accident happened at a retail establishment, most will ask if you want to fill out an incident report. Even if they do not offer, tell the manager or store employee that you want to fill out an incident report. ALWAYS fill out an incident report and ask for a copy. If the manager will not provide you with a copy then take a clear photo with your smartphone.
If your accident happened in a public place, for example the sidewalk or a park, you may not be able to fill out an incident report. In these circumstances, it is important to document as much as you can about what happened. If there were witnesses, ask if they can provide their name and phone number.
3. Take pictures
The final thing you will need to do after your accident is to take photos to support your case. These photos will differ depending on the cause of your slip/trip and fall accident but you should look to document anything that may have contributed, for example:
-
Any liquid or substance you may have slipped over - including the surrounding area if there are no cones or other warning signs alerting you to a wet floor.
-
Any structural issues - for example a broken sidewalk, or uneven floor.
-
Any out of place equipment - for example a mop bucket left out, or construction materials on the floor without appropriate signage
Once you’ve followed those steps, you’ll be ready to contact a specialized slip and fall lawyer.
_edited.png)
Why you need a slip and fall attorney for your case
A slip and fall attorney will be able to support you throughout your case. From gathering evidence to filing claims and ultimately establishing negligence of another party to ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to.
Even though the cause of your slip/trip and fall accident may seem obvious to you, getting the compensation you deserve may not be so straightforward. In every case, you will need to prove fault such as:
-
Temporary causes, for example spills on the floor, were present for an unreasonable length of time. This means that they were present long enough to be cleaned up or have warning signs or cones placed around it. Often, you won’t have the knowledge of how long a spill was present for before you slipped, so you’ll need to find a way to obtain that information.
-
Long-term or permanent causes, for example a broken curb or sidewalk, the responsible party may claim that the cause was present for a while and so would have been obvious to take precautions to avoid getting hurt.
A specialized slip and fall lawyer will be able investigate both temporary and long-term causes to gather evidence and build a strong case that establishes the property owner’s liability, whoever that may be in your circumstance.
As well as proving negligence, a slip and fall attorney will be able to fight for your case even if the property owners and their insurance carriers try to minimize the extent of your injuries. Without representation, you may not receive the full compensation you are entitled to and may settle for less than you realise you could claim.
What injuries can be caused by slip/trip and fall accidents?
Slip and fall accidents can lead to serious, debilitating, and even life-altering injuries. Some of these include:
-
Head injuries.
-
Concussions.
-
Broken bones.
-
Severe lacerations.
-
Internal injuries.
-
Spinal trauma and neck injuries.
Where negligence can be proven, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills which arise as a result of your injury. A specialized slip and fall lawyer will be able to help you fight for maximum compensation.
Where can slip and fall injuries happen?
Slip and fall accidents can happen in a range of settings, and each can come with its own challenges for receiving compensation.
Residential areas
These include houses, apartments, condominiums, and mobile homes and could include both injuries at your property or someone else’s.
If your injury happened at your own property but was not your fault, a specialized slip and fall attorney will be able to conduct a full investigation to find out what the cause was and any liable parties involved.
If your injury occurred at someone else’s property, a specialized slip and fall attorney will be able to investigate the owner or manager of that property to determine if they were a) aware of the issue, and b) whether it should have been resolved prior to your fall.
Commercial and Industrial property
Commercial property includes places of business and their surrounding environments for which they are responsible, such as shopping malls, retail stores, grocery stores, office buildings, recreational facilities, parking lots and garages, hotels, and casinos. Industrial property includes locations where industry work is done, for example plants and warehouses.
There are differences between these two property types that only a specialized slip and fall attorney can identify and use to determine proof of negligence. In some cases, this will include whether the property in question has a history of similar incidents to build the most compelling case.
What can cause slip and fall incidents?
Slip and fall incidents can happen for a variety of reasons, including:
-
Spills - for example liquid on the floor.
-
Uneven pavement.
-
Potholes or broken paving.
-
Loose or missing stairs or handrails.
-
Poor lighting.
-
Unmarked floor obstacles.
-
Unstable building foundations.
-
Leftover construction equipment.
-
Poor property maintenance.
Wherever possible, if you suffer a slip/trip and fall accident you should document the cause and surrounding area (preferably with accompanying photos). This will help to support your claim and your legal team in their investigations.
The experienced Miami Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers at The G Law Group, P.A. have the resources and experience to help you obtain the maximum compensation for your injuries. We don’t want you to worry about paying for a lawyer when you need legal help after a sustaining injuries from a slip and fall. That’s why we offer legal representation with no money down and no fee unless you obtain compensation for your injuries. Speak with our legal team today to discuss your rights and options. If you or someone you love has been injured in a slip and fall, call our Miami Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers at (305) 709-8877 or fill out the form below for a free case evaluation.