Let’s face it, most people will slip and fall at one point in their life. Although these types of accidents are often with kids, we are not always able to avoid them as adults either. Simply, sometimes accidents happen and we are not able to do anything about it. In certain cases, our negligence is the cause of the predicament we found ourselves in. On the other hand, there are occasions when this happens because of the reckless behavior of other people.
In situations when the injured party is not at fault, they deserve some type of compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial pain they have sustained. If you’re one of those people, these are the steps you need to take in order to get what you deserve.
But first, let’s take a look at some of the common slip-and-fall hazards.
Types of Slip-And-Fall Accidents
The thing with these types of accidents is that they can happen pretty much anywhere and anytime. The injuries sustained in these situations can vary from extremely mild to very serious. Brain and spinal cord damage or even death are just some of the possible consequences. The statistics of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that between 20% and 30% of slip-and-fall accidents end up in serious injuries.
As already mentioned, you can slip pretty much anywhere but some places are more common than others. Slippery floors are very often the reason for these calamities. Also, cluttered hallways, aisles, and any kind of walkways. Staircases and ramps are especially dangerous if they have loose handrails. Potholes and other sorts of uneven surfaces are also problematic as well as poorly lit areas.
It’s the responsibility of people who are managing these locations to ensure that everything is in perfect order. If they neglect any of these aspects and someone gets hurt, they will be held responsible.
The Slip-And-Fall Victims
Those who have been the victim of a slip-and-fall need to ask for medical attention first of all. As stated by the professionals from edwardspattersonlaw.com/tulsa-oklahoma/, your health is the most important thing but having a medical report where all your injuries are documented is a piece of key evidence when you file a claim. These facts can later be examined by your lawyer (if you decide to hire one) and can be a significant help in getting the compensation you deserve.
For any sort of harm that you sustain on someone else’s property due to their reckless behavior, you have the right to ask for compensation. The owner of the establishment (retail store, business office, restaurant, etc.) has the obligation to keep the space in perfect condition. If they fail in doing that, they can be held responsible for their carelessness.
Reporting an accident is also very important. You want to have a written trail that it happened and you want the right people to be notified of the event. Also, don’t forget to document as much as possible on your own. If you’re not hurt too badly, you should take the names, addresses, and phone numbers of people who have witnessed your fall. Taking statements from them would also be beneficial for your case in the future if you decide to take legal steps.
Everybody has a smartphone these days so use yours to take photos of the location. Make sure you capture the problem and what caused you to fall. It would be a good idea to write down how the situation developed. Our memory can be fragile and things can be different than what we remember so it would be good to document everything that happened before the fall and after.
In the end, it would be good to hire a professional to handle the legal part. Although you are not required to have an attorney to file a personal injury claim, these procedures can last for a really long time, and having someone who is familiar with the process would take a big load off your shoulders. They will know what steps to take and how to face insurance adjusters which is not always an easy thing to do.
Before you choose the lawyer to represent you in this situation make sure you meet with them and talk about your case. Most of the time, first meetings are free of charge so take advantage of that fact and hire someone who you think will handle your situation in the best way possible.
These are the most important steps you need to take in the case you injure yourself on someone else’s property. You have the right to be compensated for the hurt slip-and-fall accident caused you.
