A slip and fall accident that happens when you least expect it can have some dire drawbacks, one of which is an injury that hinders your ability to go to work, alongside having to pay for medical expenses that you aren’t prepared for. When you deal with such an injury, you have to take some measures in order to recoup your losses and make sure that you have a swift recovery.
1. Seek Medical Help
One of the most important steps that you need to take care of is getting professional medical help. While some victims worry about having to pay for the hospital bill, this should be the last thing on your mind. When the right steps are taken, all the medical fees will be taken care of.
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you’re too injured to take action, never hesitate to ask the nearest person to call an ambulance for you. And if you feel like you have broken a bone, it’s best not to move until paramedics pick you up.
2. Call An Attorney
Legal attorneys can help you get the compensation you need after your accident. They’re the only professionals who are experienced enough in the likes of your situation to compensate you financially for your injury. Professional attorneys from Kocian Law Firm, suggest that you should always call an attorney as soon as you physically can. This can be from the hospital, or after you are sent home. Mainly because legal matters like this are sometimes time-sensitive and claims can be settled much faster if is handled in a timely manner. But the important part is to never let your injury, slip and to demand legal action no matter what the other side claims.
3. Inspect the Area
Immediately after you slip and fall, take a look around to see what has caused the mishap. If it was due to a broken step or an obstacle placed in the wrong spot, you need to remember the scene. This will help your attorney when filing your lawsuit.
4. Document Proof
If you can, take photos of the scene that has caused you to slip and fall. Make sure you do this immediately after the accident. If an obstacle was placed at the foot of the stairs, for instance, you need to take photos of it before it gets removed. If needed, ask someone around to help you do that.
5. Ask Witnesses to Help
In the event that your slip and fall accident occurred when people were around you, you may want to ask for their contact information. These witnesses will be able to help your lawyer, and they may later be summoned to court if needed. In most cases, only a report will be taken from them.
Witnesses also help accelerate the whole process. In the event that they’re needed for court, their places of work will be compelled to compensate them for any time spent away from their jobs. Most witnesses will be willing to help, so never hesitate to request it when you need it.
6. File a Report
Officially filing a report is part of filing a lawsuit, and it can be a hassle if you don’t have a legal attorney to take care of it for you. You may ask a witness to help you if the person in question has witnessed something that you didn’t. In most cases, this process can be taken care of while you’re getting medical attention with the help of a nurse.
7. Take Notes
If you cannot think straight and don’t remember where to start, it always helps to take your phone out, or use a notebook to write down all of these steps. Picture yourself at the scene of the accident, and write down everything that you remember happening. Add the names and numbers of witnesses, if there are any, and the name of the person or place that is responsible for the accident.
8. Listen To Your Attorney
The primary concern of the side responsible for your injury is to pay as little money as possible as compensation for your injury. Even if that side has offered to pay your medical bills, an injury can cause you emotional as well as physical discomfort, while it may also compel you to spend long weeks getting treatments. Do not accept any offers, and let the side know that they can reach you through your lawyer.
Your lawyer will make sure that you get compensated fairly, so trust them and let them handle everything that they can. This will also allow you to focus on your recovery instead of getting bombarded by questions that could easily be answered by your attorney.
If you have been a victim of a slip and fall accident, never hesitate to seek legal help, even if you have done a few or none of the above mentioned steps. Professional attorneys may know what you do not and may find their ways around getting you the compensation you need, even if you think you lack evidence.
