If you slipped and were injured in a public place, there’s a good chance it was witnessed by other people, captured on security camera footage, or both. Don’t be embarrassed—this is a good thing!
Having witness statements and video footage of your slip-and-fall accident can go a long way toward helping you get compensation if you decide to file an injury claim against the property owner. However, having access to that type of evidence doesn’t guarantee you’ll win your claim, nor does it get you on the right path to physical recovery.
After a slip-and-fall accident in public, it’s important to take the right steps to protect your health and your right to compensation.
Get Medical Attention
Slips and falls can cause serious injuries. Because falling in public can be embarrassing, it’s common for people to want to put the accident behind them and leave the premises quickly. The adrenaline and shock from the fall may also mask the pain and true extent of their injuries.
Even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured, you should get examined by a doctor as soon as possible. Getting diagnosed quickly can help you prevent your injuries from worsening and tie them to the fall as the cause, which can serve as valuable evidence for your claim.
Report the Slip-and-Fall Accident
Don’t leave the premises without telling an employee, manager, supervisor, or property owner about your accident. Demand that your fall be properly and officially documented by management or ownership.
Leaving without proper documentation of your fall can make it more difficult to hold the appropriate parties liable for your injuries. Most retail stores, restaurants, bars, and other public places have standard procedures for reporting and documenting injuries and incidents, so don’t take no for an answer if your request is initially refused.
Document the Scene
Your phone’s camera can be an extremely important tool immediately after a slip-and-fall accident in a public place. Use it to photograph and video the area where you fell, including any hazards and lack of signage that may have contributed to your fall.
Take pictures and film from multiple angles to get a comprehensive view of the accident scene and any dangerous conditions that may have contributed to your fall, such as a wet floor, uneven surface, loose rug, ripped carpet, broken step, or any other unsafe surface.
Get Witness and Employee Contact Information
If other people witnessed your fall, it’s important to ask them for their names, phone numbers, and email addresses. Their firsthand accounts of your slip-and-fall accident can make a big difference in the outcome of your case.
Employees of the establishment where you fell can also serve as important witnesses or resources if you decide to file a compensation claim. In addition to getting contact information from other guests, obtain it from employees who witnessed your fall or spoke to you about it after it happened.
Write Down What Happened
Witness statements, photographs, and video footage help paint a clear picture of what happened in the moments leading up to a slip-and-fall accident. However, they don’t always tell the entire story. Only you know exactly what happened as you experienced it, and that’s why it’s important to write down your recollection of what transpired just before you fell.
As soon as possible after your fall, write down everything you remember about the incident, including how you fell, the condition of the area at the time of your fall, and any conversations you had with property owners or employees concerning your fall.
Watch What You Say in Person and Online
If you file a claim against the property owner or manager of the public place where you fell, their insurer will immediately try to reduce or deny you compensation. One of their tactics for doing this is to use your own words and statements against you.
For example, the insurance company may interview employees and witnesses after the incident. If you admitted even partial fault for the fall at any point after it happened, they may deny your claim. This also applies to social media posts—any admission of fault or discussion of a pre-existing injury can jeopardize your chances of getting compensation.
Call Our Experienced Oklahoma City Slip-and-Fall Injury Lawyers
Property owners and their insurers can easily argue that guests and visitors caused their own slip-and-fall injuries—even when there’s plenty of proof that hazardous conditions caused them. For this reason, it’s often difficult for injured victims to get compensation on their own.
At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, our Oklahoma City slip-and-fall injury attorneys understand this challenge and the uphill battle victims face when they go it alone. We offer decades of hard-won experience and a long track record of success winning claims for injured slip-and-fall victims. Don’t face this battle on your own—contact us today for a free consultation.
