A person injured in a slip and fall accident on another person’s property has the right to seek compensation. Despite a widely held belief that these accidents are minor, a slip and fall can leave a victim with lasting injuries and lifelong effects. To avoid suffering because of someone else’s negligence, victims should understand how to protect their rights.
See a Doctor Immediately
After any kind of accident, a victim should see a physician right away. A doctor can diagnose injuries arising from a slip and fall, and they can recommend the right course of treatment. Prompt treatment can protect a client’s health, and a doctor’s advice can serve as important evidence during a slip and fall injury claim.
Take Plenty of Photos
If physically able, the victim should take photos of the place the incident occurred. While investigators can collect evidence if they act quickly, any photos taken by a victim can be very helpful in a compensation claim. It’s a good idea to take photos of the injury as well as property damage, and of other things that may be relevant to the case.
Keep Receipts and Records
In a premises liability or slip and fall injury claim, documentation is critical. Clients should keep copies of scans, medical records, benefit statements, receipts and other records relating to the accident and subsequent treatment.
Keep a Journal
A person’s memory can fade with time, and the days run during recovery from an accident. However, if a victim ever needs to testify as to the effects of an injury, they should aim for as specific a recollection as possible. To help the client remember such things, they should keep a journal or calendar where they can log what they can’t do after an accident.
Avoid the Most Common Mistakes
There are certain errors clients should avoid to prove a claim. These include missteps such as:
- Going to work against medical advice.
- Speaking to the insurer without a lawyer.
- Talking about the incident online.
- Delaying consulting an attorney about the case.
A personal injury lawyer can walk clients through all the steps to take before a case, and they can help the victim avoid mistakes that can jeopardize their legal rights.
