For many people, injuries are what happen when they slip and fall at a store. Some people suffer little more than a bruised ego, while others could face life-altering consequences due to their injuries. Understanding what the aftermath of a slip and fall accident at a store could look like might help you with both your physical recovery and your personal injury case.
The steps you take following a fall in a store could impact your chances of securing a financial award. Some steps could strengthen your case, while others could put it in jeopardy. A slip and fall accident lawyer from our firm could help you get the compensation you are entitled to.
Contact with Employees
You can expect to be contacted by the employees of the store immediately after your fall. Most stores—both large and small—have a protocol for dealing with falls on company property. These accidents are common, especially in places like grocery stores that stock beverages and other products that are likely to cause a fall when spilled.
It is important to seek out the store manager immediately after a fall. Whether the manager offers to do so or not, you should request to make a report regarding the incident. Some stores have a process they use to take formal incident reports. Others don’t provide forms or have any set process for receiving these reports. Fill out a form if one is provided to you and request a copy when it is completed.
The form should highlight how the fall happened as well as any injuries you are experiencing. If the store does not provide a form, make your own report at the store or request an email address to forward the report to later.
Taking Stock of the Scene
You will also have a limited opportunity to take stock of the scene where you fell. The odds are good that the hazard that led to your fall will be removed in short order following your accident. Given the restricted time frame, it is helpful to note as many details about the scene of your fall as possible.
A good first step is to photograph the scene where you fell as well as the hazard that causes your fall, if possible.
Another important step is to speak with anyone who witnessed your accident. The witnesses of your fall are unlikely to remain at the scene for long, and tracking them down later could be impossible. It is important to secure their contact information right away.
Decisions About Medical Care
You can also expect to make decisions about your medical care after a fall. You can seek emergency medical treatment immediately after your accident if your injuries are severe. If you feel that emergency medical care is not required, it is still important to see your doctor as soon as possible.
Because of the adrenaline rush that can come with a fall, the severity of your injuries might not be immediately apparent. Delayed symptoms are not uncommon, meaning you might not experience pain or swelling until a day or two after the accident. The sooner you seek medical care, the more likely you are to avoid long-term health consequences.
The choices you make regarding your medical care can also impact your personal injury case. By seeing a doctor right away, you could create a record of your injuries that could strengthen your case should it go to trial. Medical records that are created roughly at the time of the fall can be helpful to your case.
Outreach From Insurance Companies
If you fall at a store, you can expect to hear from their insurance company. This contact could come as soon as the same day of your accident. The insurance company might make a settlement offer on the spot, but accepting these offers right away could put your case at risk.
Insurance companies will not reach out regarding a settlement because it is the right thing to do. Instead, they will aim to resolve your case for a fraction of its true value. Our firm could advise you on whether a settlement offer is made in good faith.
Engagement with a Slip and Fall Attorney From Our Firm
One of the most important steps you can take when you slip and fall in a store is to seek legal help. Our firm has experience advocating for slip and fall injury victims, and we are prepared to help you secure fair financial recovery.
Loncar Lyon Jenkins offers slip and fall injury victims the opportunity to discuss their case during a free consultation. To learn more about your options, call (877) 239-4878 for your free consultation with a team member today.
