Experiencing a slip and fall accident can be a stressful event, especially if it occurs in a retail store. A retail store is the last place you would go expecting to fall and suffer an injury. However, sometimes retail store negligence can result in such an occurrence which could prove quite serious in some cases. It is important to stay calm in this situation and keep your wits about yourself. What follows after the incident is critical to what kind of damages and compensation you can get from being in the incident.
While not every incident may be attributable to negligent behavior, it is important to lay the groundwork for a possible claim. This article will highlight the 5 key steps necessary to get back on your feet after a slip-and-fall accident at a store. It is prudent to get medical attention first and then think about secondary things such as contacting experienced legal aid to help you through this ordeal.
1. Seek Medical Attention
Being involved in a slip and fall accident can be a tortuous experience especially if there’s a broken bone or a dislocation injury. Your health should be your first priority and thus, it is the first thing you should pay attention to after such an incident. Getting checked by a medical professional is highly advised as it will give you the peace of mind required after such an incident. Moreover, such a visit to the expert will also help you document your injuries which may come in handy later on if there is a negligent behavior case.
2. Report the Incident
Reporting the incident after getting into an accident is another thing that tops the list of steps to take after a slip-and-fall accident. Notifying the store management about the incident is a must as the store must be informed and it is advisable to provide them with all the details possible. Such details can include the exact location, time, and date of the incident occurrence, and the store should create an official incident report. For record purposes, you should receive the incident report copy as it serves as evidence later on to bolster your case.
3. Document the Scene
If you’re able to do so safely, gather evidence from the accident scene such as taking photographs or videos of the area where you fell. You should definitely focus on any hazardous conditions exposed that may explain the occurrence of the incident. You should note the lighting conditions of the place in detail and also if there are any spills in the area where you fell. Damaged flooring can also cause slip-and-fall accidents, thus if you can find any evidence that can support your claim, you must think of documenting it. Such visual records can become irrefutable evidence of negligent behavior on the retail store’s part.
4. Collect Witness Information
Try to obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses that were present at the accident scene. Witnesses can provide valuable testimony to support your case. Their statements can help establish the cause of the accident, the condition of the premises, or any negligence on the part of the store. Witness testimony can greatly strengthen your claim as it helps corroborate your testimony and thus proves your theory in front of an impartial judge.
5. Consult an Attorney
Finally, after following the above steps after a slip and fall accident, you must ensure that you’re adequately represented by legal aid. Such incidents and their legal ramifications can be complex to stay the least as it involves different kinds of laws coming into play including premises liability laws. Moreover, insurance companies from both sides will have a stake in the outcome of this case and thus will look to prove that the other is wrong. In this atmosphere, the calm heads of a legal counsel are the best way to go, and hiring a personal injury attorney who specializes in these types of cases. The attorney can give you the best advice on how to proceed with the case, whether it has the merits of moving forward, and how much compensation you can possibly ask for.
Slip and fall accidents in a retail store may seem harmless, but they can have some serious after-effects. Sufferers may bear physical and mental pain from the accident which requires special attention and in some cases the need to get compensated. To get a fair settlement, it is advisable to seek legal counsel but after seeking medical attention right away and gathering evidence. The immediate aftermath of the incident must be spent on ensuring you have the evidence to make a good case.
