Slips and falls may sound tame, but these accidents can result in severe, devastating, and sometimes permanent consequences. They can occur anywhere, from private homes to public spaces, and be caused by circumstances such as weather, improper maintenance, negligence, tripping hazards, and dangerous facilities. In the end, you may be left with debilitating injuries, lost wages, and significant medical debt.
If, however, your slip and fall was caused by a property owner’s negligence, you may be able to hold them accountable for your financial losses. You could potentially hold their insurance company accountable for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Getting the compensation you deserve requires that you prove the negligence of the at fault party with compelling evidence. It’s in your best interest to find a local personal injury attorney with experience in slip and fall cases to help you with your case.
What to Do After a Slip & Fall Accident
Slip and fall accidents can happen to anyone at any time, so it’s important to understand what steps to take if you get injured. What you do after a slip and fall can have a direct impact on your ability to get fair compensation for your injuries.
Follow these guidelines—as well as anything your legal counsel recommends—to make sure you can create a compelling legal case and protect yourself, your finances, and your future.
1. Seek Medical Attention
Your health and safety are the priority. Seek medical attention immediately after your slip and fall accident.
Whether you call emergency services to the scene or visit a doctor as soon as possible, getting medical attention is essential. A doctor will document your injuries and create an expert record. Additionally, keep in mind that not all injuries show up right away. Medical providers know what to look for and can make sure they keep a record of your injuries—hidden or otherwise.
Follow the advice of your doctor or emergency responders at the accident scene, and keep a copy of all medical documentation.
2. Inspect the Scene & Try to Determine the Cause of the Fall
Right after you slip and fall, you will likely be in shock and feel pain. However, if you are able to safely look around, it’s important to inspect the scene and try to determine the cause of the fall.
Was there a tripping hazard in the walkway? Was there water on the floor? Were there too many people in a small space? Was something improperly maintained that caused you to trip? Was there anything the property owner could have done to prevent your accident?
If you can pinpoint what caused you to fall, it will be easier for you and your attorney to establish negligence.
3. Take Photographs & Videos of the Scene
If possible, take photographs and videos of the accident scene. If you’re in too much pain to move or if it is dangerous for you to do so yourself, see if someone who accompanied you or if a bystander can record videos and snap photos instead.
Take photos and videos of the floor, the surrounding area, any objects or conditions that caused your accident (such as a tripping hazard or puddle of water), and any other details you think are important. There’s no need to worry about a camera—the camera in your smartphone is good enough.
4. Identify Witnesses & Get Contact Information
Witness testimony is an important piece of evidence in your personal injury case.
Did anyone see you fall? Did bystanders offer to help you? Was anyone else around you at the time of your accident?
Get contact information from witnesses so that your attorney can contact them later. Ask for their name, phone number, email address, and mailing address. If you’re comfortable doing so, request they write down their memory of what they saw and save it for later.
5. File an Accident Report
Before you leave the accident scene, file an official report with whoever is in charge. If you are unable to safely get up and do so yourself, ask someone else to file a report on your behalf or do so on your own as soon as possible.
Most businesses will have a reporting system in place. If the business does not have reporting procedures or if your accident occurred in a private home, ask the property owner or person in charge for an email or postal address. Then, write a description of the accident as well as your injuries and email or post it to them. Keep your own copy of the documentation on hand.
Filing an official accident report not only provides a record of your injury but also prevents the at fault party’s insurance from claiming your accident was not serious.
Remember to not accept or assign blame in any way while filing the report—that is the work of your attorney. Keep things factual.
6. Document Everything & Keep Detailed Notes
Your memory fads sooner than you think, so it’s important to keep careful notes of your accident.
Document everything, including photos and videos, medical records, and personal property damage like clothing. As soon as you can, write down a detailed narrative of your accident. Include every detail, regardless of whether you think it is important. Note the following items:
- The date and time of the accident
- The weather at the time of the accident
- The exact nature and circumstances of the accident
- What part of your body hit the ground
- Where you stepped
- Which foot stepped first
- What shoes you were wearing
- Where you were looking
- Anything you think caused or contributed to the accident (tripping hazards, unsafe conditions, improper maintenance, negligence, etc.)
Additionally, keep an ongoing record of your injuries, pain, and symptoms.
This information will help your attorney establish negligence and build a compelling personal injury case on your behalf.
7. Call a Personal Injury Lawyer
Slip and fall cases are complex, and it is often difficult to establish negligence and prove fault. For the best chance at receiving fair compensation, you should talk to an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
A slip and fall lawyer will have the necessary knowledge, experience, skills, and track record of success to successfully seek compensation on your behalf. They will handle negotiations with the other party’s insurance company, file your personal injury claim, gather evidence, and build your case.
8. Avoid Discussing Your Case
It may be tempting to post about your accident on social media or talk to insurance agents who call you to see “how you’re doing.” However, you should avoid discussing your case with anyone except for your doctor and legal counsel.
Do not give statements to the at fault party’s insurance company. They will likely try to contact you in the days following your accident, but their only goal is to pay you less money. They want to settle your claim for less compensation than you deserve and are prepared to twist your words to do so. If you receive a call from the property owner’s insurance company, direct them to talk to your attorney.
Do not post about your slip and fall accident on social media. Posts can be used by the other side’s insurance company or legal team to absolve the at fault party of fault.
When in doubt, ask your attorney.
Contact an Experienced Chicago Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you or a loved one have been injured in a slip and fall accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Vasilatos Injury Law. We have represented hundreds of personal injury clients and obtained millions of dollars in awards for our clients in Chicago and across Illinois.
Our personal injury attorneys have experience in all aspects of personal injury law, and we are dedicated to helping our clients get the best possible compensation. Regardless of the nature of your case, you can rely on us to guide you toward a favorable outcome for you and your family.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
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