What To Do After A Slip And Fall Injury
Brian O Sutter
Personal Injury
Of all the various injuries that you can suffer, some of the most frustrating are property related injuries like slip and fall accidents. This is because you’ll often struggle more to prove fault and get compensation than in a case involving auto accidents. While the laws are similar, proving fault and getting what you’re owed will require all of the skills and guidance of a professional slip and fall lawyer. Knowing just what to do and what to expect after a slip and fall accident is important as well, and can have a big impact on how your case ends up progressing and ending.
The Big Challenge Of Slip And Fall Cases
The biggest challenge with slip and fall cases comes from proving recklessness and negligence in the case. Under Florida law, those seeking compensation for their injuries must be able to show that the other side acted in a reckless or negligent manner and that those actions were the cause of the accident – and the injuries sustained therein.
In an auto accident, factors like drunk driving or texting while driving are clearly examples of negligence or recklessness and are fairly easy to prove. But in a slip and fall accident, it’s not as clear cut. This is because you must show that the other party knew about a safety risk and chose to do nothing about it and chose not to warn others.
For instance, if a handrail was loose in a stairway and that loose handrail caused your injuries, you must be able to show that the person responsible for the property was aware of the handrail and didn’t fix it or place a warning sign regarding the handrail. If they didn’t know about the safety issue, they can’t be held liable due to negligence or recklessness. This makes it much more difficult to prove that you are owed restitution.
What To Do After A Slip And Fall Accident
So just what should you do after a slip and fall accident occurs? There are a few things that can help you improve your odds of receiving compensation. Here are the main things to keep in mind.
• Take photos if possible. This can help your attorney show fault and understand more about the specifics of your case.
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible to ensure that you’re able to develop a solid trail of your injuries and your case.
• Keep all records and receipts. Whether it’s a log of hours you’ve missed at work or a record of all your medical bills, all of these will be instrumental in making sure you get the compensation that you are owed.
• Get a lawyer as soon as you can. They’ll be your guide and your greatest ally as you work to prove your case.
• Don’t talk to the other side. They will often try to use your actions and statements against you and try to convince you to accept less than you’re owed. Always let your attorney handle the negotiations and the interactions with the insurance companies and the lawyers for the other side.
Getting Help
If you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall accident, you owe it to yourself to get help. Without a personal injury lawyer on your side, getting the compensation you’re owed will be very difficult. Our team has years of experience and can help you get the restitution you deserve and that you need to move on after an injury. Contact our team of professionals today to get your initial consultation and get started on the process.