- Seek Medical Treatment Immediately. Your health should be your number-one priority following a slip, trip, and fall accident. If you’ve been hurt, it’s important to see a doctor so that your injuries can be properly documented. Those medical records will be important pieces of evidence should you decide to seek compensation for your injuries.
- Report the Accident. Ask the property manager, owner or landlord to make a written report of everything that happened. Request a copy before you leave. Reporting your injury is crucial. It allows those that manage the property to briefly investigate and, hopefully, document, what caused your injuries. Further, they can block off the area so that others are not injured due to the same dangerous conditions that may exist.
- Document Everything. It’s important to collect the names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses for all potential witnesses. Their statements could help prove your claim if you decide to pursue a legal claim. Also, remember to take pictures (or have someone else take pictures) of the EXACT location where you fell and make sure to photograph any stairs, icy patches, or other conditions that contributed to your accident. Jot down what you were doing right before the accident, the way you fell, and any other details, including the exact time and date. Also: Place the shoes and clothing you were wearing during the accident in a safe storage place. They may be relevant pieces of evidence later. You should not dispose of any shoes or clothing from the day of your injury.
- Decline to Give Statements. While you are encouraged to report the incident, remain calm and limit your communication with the property owner or manager. Do not post any details related to your accident on social media. After you report it to the property manager or owner, you should expect that they will report the incident to their liability insurance company and they will attempt to contact you or any witnesses involved. Politely decline to give a statement to an insurance company until you’ve spoken to an attorney. Do not place blame—and don’t take any.
- Call an Attorney. When considering legal action, the best person on your side is an experienced attorney, and speaking with an attorney as soon after the fall and your discharge from initial treatment is crucial. They may have additional resources to help you obtain the proper treatment and can advise the property of their representation so that you can focus on treatment and not phone calls from the insurance company. Since many slip and fall cases are complex and difficult to prove, you are best served by the resources of a successful law firm. We have the experience, knowledge, and track record of success to recover the money you deserve for your injuries.
The Law Office of Mitchell H. Portnoi, P.C.’s practice includes Slip-and-Fall, Trip-and-Fall, and Workers’ Compensation matters. We have decades of experience handling these types of claims. Call 908-228-8800 and ask for either Mitchell H. Portnoi or Kyle S. Reed or contact our office online through our website at https://portnoilaw.com/contact/.
