Slipping and falling sends about 1 million people to the emergency room each year. While some of these accidents only result in minor injuries, in many cases, people end up with more serious impairments that require longer term care. These impacts can be that much more difficult to overcome when the accident may have been prevented if some other party had been more responsible or careful.
For injured people starting to pick up the pieces after a slip and fall, knowing what steps to take to start preserving a future claim can help them get on the path to recovery. So, to that end, below we have laid out the essential things to do following a slip and fall accident.
Following a Slip and Fall…
Seek immediate medical attention – You need to see a doctor ASAP after a slip and fall so you can get a proper diagnosis and any treatments you need. Seeing a doctor immediately is also beneficial from a legal standpoint because it will result in third-party documentation about the extent of the physical injuries you have sustained due to the accident. This will be important to a future claim, especially if your injuries put you out of work and/or require more extensive medical care in the future.
- Determine whether you need to report the accident – Depending on where the accident occurred, you may need to report the injury to the responsible authority, who could be the manager, a building owner, etc. Generally, this step will need to be taken if the accident occurred in a public setting, at work or somewhere other than a private residence.
- Take pictures of the scene of the accident – If you are able to, snap some photos of the area where the accident occurred. Take pictures of the flooring, the surrounding area and even of any visible injuries you may have. This can help establish any features that may have contributed to your accident and, in doing so, any potential contributing negligence.
- Record your story & retain your evidence – Within a day or two the accident, take some time to write down the details of what happened. Note the time, date and exact location, as well as what you were dong prior to the fall. Also, include details about what happened during and after the accident, and make sure to keep the clothing and shoes you wore that day. All of this evidence may be critical later to establishing the extent of your injuries, as well as the fact that you were not at fault.
- Consult a lawyer – This step can inform you about your potential case, your best options for financial recovery and what you should do next to get on the path to compensation. Consulting an attorney is free, so there is no reason that victims shouldn’t take this step to learn more about their options. It could end up paying off in a big way.
Contact a Kingston Personal Injury Attorney at Charles N. Rock, P.L.L.C.
Have you or someone you love been injured in a falling accident – or any incident caused by negligence? If so, you can turn to personal injury attorney Charles N. Rock for aggressive legal advocacy and effective help obtaining the compensation to which you may be entitled.
To find out more about your best options for moving forward, contact us today to schedule a free, no obligations initial consultation. You can set up this meeting by calling (845) 383–1170 or by emailing us using the contact form on this page. To ensure that you have the legal support you need now, Attorney Charles N. Rock can meet you at your home or a hospital when needed.