Some of the most important aspects of a slip and fall injury claim are protecting your evidence, hiring an experienced lawyer, and taking the right legal action, all from the beginning. And by ‘from the beginning’ I mean that a slip, a trip, or a fall accident occurs immediately. Keep reading for suggestions on these matters, as well as so what is a Los Angeles slip and fall attorney?
Slippery and falling accidents
The first few steps to a slippery and falling injury can mean all the difference in terms of establishing fault and responsibility. Proper legal action must be taken when a slip, trip, or accident occurs to protect your claim and win your settlement for compensation. The next few paragraphs will explain what a sliding and falling victim (or their family) needs to do to move forward with a personal injury claim.
Report an incident
The first step in slipping and falling on public or private property is to notify the owners or persons in charge. For commercial properties, such as retail stores or restaurants, ask the highest person on duty and report the accident without giving any additional details or revealing any personal error. Be brief and tell where you fell, what caused the fall (torn carpet, uneven floor board, wire or cord, pit, etc.) and where you were injured. For public squares such as parks, notify the town or city on the same day by phone call and in writing. If the injury is severe, notify the city or town as soon as your health permits. This is especially important for accidents without witnesses. Which takes us to the next level.
Ask for witness information
The next step, which may need to be performed by a trusted friend or family member depending on the severity of your injury, is to obtain all contact information from someone who has witnessed the accident. Be sure to record their full name, phone number and email address. If they are willing to provide additional contact information, take them with you. Keep in mind that witness testimony plays a big role in winning a personal injury settlement.
Gather evidence
Take a photo right away. Again, this may have to be done by a friend or family member depending on the severity of your injuries. Photos and video (if possible) should be taken at the time of the accident and in the days following. These images should be taken from all different angles and capture the hazardous environment or obstruction, the condition of the victim, the victim’s injury, and the condition of the injury in the days following the accident. All of these photos and videos must be done before any changes and evidence are lost (ie ice or snow melts). The more evidence you have to provide, the more likely you are to receive fair compensation.
Get medical attention
A person should receive medical treatment on the same day, or as soon as they are experiencing residual pain or complications from the accident. Sometimes the wounds do not appear immediately and appear in the days following the accident. It is common for neck and back injuries. Insurance companies may argue that if a person did not need professional medical care, he or she would not be seriously injured in order to receive compensation. Medical treatment not only confirms that the victim slipped and fell, but also the doctor’s diagnosis and the victim’s medical record is evidence of the case.
Hire an experienced slip and fall lawyer
Before talking to insurance companies or adjusters, it is important to hire a personal injury lawyer. The process of talking to personal or anti-insurance adjusters is delicate and complicated. A small statement can turn a mistake into a victim, and eliminate the liability of the opposing party. To ensure that victims are effectively pursuing injury claims, it is important that you have a licensed slip and a falling lawyer.
Ellen Diamond did her degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. She is interested in mental health and well-being.
