Most people don’t know how to respond to an incident that leaves them injured. If they don’t already have a plan, they can very easily make mistakes that put them at a disadvantage later. A slip-and-fall at a store could can cause soft tissue injuries, broken bones or worse injuries.
The person who falls might feel as though their best option is to brush themselves off and move on with their day. However, quite a few people initially overlook the warning signs of injury and may then have a difficult time getting compensation later.
Those who take the three steps outlined below after a slip-and-fall at a store or other business can help protect their right to see compensation later if they have medical expenses or miss work because of their injuries.
Find the cause of the slip-and-fall
Many slip-and-falls occur due to unsafe property conditions. In some cases, there may be a puddle or spilled merchandise on the floor. Other times, there could be tripping hazards, such as electrical cords crossing walkways or rugs not properly secured at an entrance. The store can very quickly correct those issues, so the person who fell might want to take photographs or record a video of the situation to preserve the evidence of what caused their fall.
Report the issue to management
If someone leaves the store without filing a report, the business may not have any information about the incident. The store manager or business owner may then respond with confusion when the injured party requests compensation later. Those who file reports create an important internal record at the company of the incident. That may improve their chances of securing insurance coverage later.
Seeing a medical professional
In cases where people notice significant pain, lose consciousness or have other warning signs of injury, they may need to see a medical professional after a slip-and-fall. A healthcare professional has the ability to diagnose potentially subtle injuries like traumatic brain injuries. They can help the injured party get treatment before their condition worsens. The records they create can also help connect the injuries and the consequences of those injuries with the incident at the store.
Those who know how to protect themselves after a slip-and-fall can then potentially pursue a premises liability claim against a business or property owner. Negligent property management can lead to injuries for others and liability for property owners and businesses.
