What to Do (and Mistakes to Avoid) After a Slip and Fall Injury
Slip and fall injury in Florida? This article will help you understand what to do and what not to do after a slip and fall injury in Florida.
No one leaves the house thinking that today is the day they are going to fall down and injure themselves.
A slip and fall injury can occur anywhere. You might be at the market, a hotel, the mall, a parking lot, or even at your job when you suddenly find yourself on the floor. It’s understandable that you may be confused about what to do after a slip and fall accident.
Taking the right action is vital. If you make any mistakes, it can ultimately compromise your case. This is one reason why retaining an experienced Florida slip and fall injury attorney right from the start is so important. No matter whether you are looking to pursue a hotel slip-and-fall settlement, a Walmart slip-and-fall settlement, or some other type of slip-and-fall settlement the team at Abrahamson and Uiterwyk can help.
When you have a knowledgeable lawyer representing you, they will guide you through the entire claims process. Your attorney will keep you from making mistakes and jeopardizing your case going forward.
4 Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Injury
No matter the circumstances surrounding your slip and fall, there are some necessary steps that you need to follow.
1. See a Doctor Right Away
One of the most critical steps after an injury accident is to get medical attention right away. Ensuring you are ok should always be your top priority. If you are seriously injured, you may need to be transported to the hospital directly from the scene.
2. Take Scene Photos
Taking scene photos immediately after the accident is ideal. However, if you are seriously injured and cannot move, do not further risk your health and safety. If you are with someone else, ask them to take photos before being transported to the hospital.
3. Report the Incident to the Manager or Owner
You must report the slip and fall as soon as possible. If your injuries aren’t severe enough that you are taken away by ambulance, reporting it right away is best. You need to let someone with authority know what happened. That can be a store manager, landlord, security officer, etc. If the incident occurred while at work, you need to let your boss and human resources know right away.
4. Contact a Florida Slip and Fall Injury Attorney
One of the next steps should be to retain a Florida slip and fall injury attorney. You need to concentrate on your recovery and getting back to work. When you hire Abrahamson & Uiterwyk to represent you, our team of premises liability lawyers will be there to explain every step of the process.
We will get to work right away on inspecting the scene, speaking with witnesses, and gathering all evidence that supports your claim. If we need to hire an expert to support your version of the facts, we have the contacts and resources to make that happen.
Key Mistakes to Avoid After a Slip and Fall Accident
Knowing what not to do after a slip and fall injury is essential and can help prevent you from putting your claim at risk. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys almost always dispute slip and fall injury claims. Presenting the most persuasive case possible will make the difference on how much compensation you ultimately get. Here are some of the most common mistakes people make after a slip and fall injury:
- Do not report the claim timely or at all;
- Fail to obtain contact information for witnesses;
- Forget to get scene photos or collect any evidence;
- Don’t seek timely medical attention;
- Don’t report to their boss or human resources in work-related slip and falls;
- Give a recorded statement to the other side’s insurance company;
- Sign a release at the scene;
- Skip doctors’ appointments and therapy treatments; and
- Don’t hire a Florida premises liability attorney.
Even if you made one of these mistakes, your attorney might be able to repair the damage. If you didn’t retain an attorney right away, be sure you pay close attention to your conversations with the property owner’s insurance adjuster. They may try to make you believe that they are on your side, but their top priority is finding a way to deny your claim outright. Their client is the property owner, and their job is to save the insurance company money.
After a Slip and Fall FAQ
Understandably, we get a lot of questions from potential clients after a personal injury incident. We’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on slip and fall injuries.
When Should I Go to the Doctor After a Slip and Fall?
If you are not transported from the scene directly to the hospital, you should make an appointment right away. It’s best if you can see a doctor on the same day or the following day. You may have injuries that are not immediately visible, like internal bleeding or organ damage.
How Long Do You Have to Go to the Doctor After a Slip and Fall?
The amount of treatment needed after a slip and fall varies. Your doctor will advise you on how long you will need treatment and your future prognosis.
What Should I Do/Know If My Slip and Fall Happened at Work?
If your slip and fall occurred at work, you need to let your boss know right away. You may need to report the claim to your human resources department as well. Reporting is crucial, even if you don’t think you are injured at the time. In most circumstances, you will need to file a workers’ compensation claim to recover any damages.
Once your claim is reported, you will be contacted by the claims adjuster who will let you know what to do next. They will provide you with a list of approved workers’ compensation doctors that can treat you.
For most work-related injuries, your sole source of recovery may be the payments received through your employer’s workers’ compensation policy. However, some workers’ compensation cases can involve third-party liability claims as well. You cannot recover for non-economic damages like pain and suffering in a workers’ compensation claim, but you may able to against an outside party.
How Do I Know If I Have a Valid Personal Injury Claim?
Determining whether you have a valid slip and fall claim can be complicated. You need to prove that the property owner was negligent. What was the hazard or dangerous condition that caused you to fall? Did those in charge know about the danger and fail to fix it? This is why getting photos from the scene early on is important.
Showing proof of the hazard can help prove negligence against the property owner. Take a case involving a broken stair rail, for example. Having photos of the staircase rail can help in the negotiations process and if your case goes to trial. If the owner fixes the railing before you get a photo, it may be more difficult to prove that it was in a dangerous condition when you fell.
If you are presenting a workers’ compensation claim, you do not need to prove that your employer was negligent. Workers’ compensation is applicable if you were injured while executing your job duties, regardless of fault.
Contact a Florida Premises Liability Attorney
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident on someone’s property or at work, let an accomplished Florida premises liability lawyer help. Contact Abrahamson & Uiterwyk to schedule an initial consultation.
Our attorneys have over 30 years of experience helping Florida clients with all of their personal injury needs, including slip and fall accidents. Don’t attempt to resolve your claim on your own. Let us help you fight to get you the compensation you deserve.