What Should I do After a Fall Injury?
A ‘slip and fall’ or ‘trip and fall’ personal injury is a common term for lawyers, however may be unfamiliar to the general public.
A fall injury occurs when an individual falls and injures themselves due to the negligence of another person, such as a property owner, a snow removal company, or store owner. Many people feel embarrassed after a fall, even if it was not their fault.
The fall cannot be due to your own negligence (such as a fall on your own property). Persons must also watch out for their own safety, such as not trespassing on dangerous property, or running in an area where a ‘wet floor sign’ is, in high heels. For tenants, only falls that occur in a ‘public location’ would be considered compensable. If a fall occurs in a public area, such as a lobby or public stairwell used by all tenants, then the tenant may pursue the landlord for damages.
Common places where falls occur are:
Snow or ice-covered areas, such as sidewalks, that have not been properly cleared of residue;
Spilled substances inside stores, such as leaking water from a display or appliance, a substance spilled by another customer such as shampoo or urine (it happens!);
Outdoor areas that have not been properly maintained or have a trip hazard, such as cracked sidewalks, rotten wooden steps, or walking areas that do not meet building codes.
Here are some important things to remember if a fall injury happens to you:
Collect yourself: It’s okay to be upset, especially if you’re in pain. Don’t feel as if you need to get up right away.
Report the Fall: Speak to an employee or manager if you’re in a store or near one. Make sure you collect their name and contact information in case its needed in the future.
Take Photographs: If you can, take photographs of the fall location, especially if the fall is due to snow or ice, which could melt or change quickly.
Look around for other evidence: Was there a caution sign nearby? If so, was it noticeable? Is this a location that might have a camera?
Seek Medical Treatment: Attend your local emergency room, walk-in-clinic, or call your family doctor right away. You may need imaging in case of a fracture.
Keep your footwear: Take photographs of the footwear you were wearing at the time, from the side, and then from the bottom.
Contact Legal Counsel: If you are injured, feel free to contact Moss Hachey Law regarding a free consultation.
If you are the victim of a slip, trip, or fall injury, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at Moss Hachey Law online or by phone at 506-449-7544.
