You're perusing the aisles at your favorite store and all the sudden, you’re slipping and hitting the floor. It's estimated that 25,000 people are injured from slip and fall accidents each day. If you find yourself dazed and injured after a slip and fall in a store, you need to know what not to do.
Here are a few things you should never do after a slip and fall at a store.
Do Not Move If You Are Seriously Injured
It's not uncommon to suffer a serious injury from slipping and falling on the floor, especially if you are elderly. If you are seriously injured and cannot move, or struck your head and suffer a minor or major trauma, do not attempt to stand up. The signs of a serious head injury include vomiting, losing consciousness, issues with balance or coordination, serious headache, and seizures.
If you suffer from any of these symptoms, are having trouble moving, or are in serious pain, call 9-1-1 immediately. After the fall, if you are able to move or have suffered only minor injuries, you still may want to call 9-1-1. Contacting the authorities immediately and seeking help rather than walking away from the scene can be used as proof that the slip and fall accident caused your injuries.
After the ambulance arrives and you are taken to the hospital, tell the physician the details of the slip and fall, including any injuries you sustained and pain you are experiencing. Do not overlook any minor discomfort. Even if those discomforts are not serious now, the pain could worsen with time.
The doctor will take detailed notes about your condition. These notes can be valuable if you file a lawsuit against the store.
Do Not Forget to Report the Accident to a Store Manager
The aftermath of a slip and fall can be confusing, but you need to be sure not to skip one of the most important steps: reporting the incident to the store's manager or human resources representative. However, before doing so, have an attorney with you to make sure you don’t say something or have a statement recorded that would damage your case.
Either way, if you are filling out an incident report at the store or writing the store a letter, be sure to include certain pieces of information in your statement, including that you were involved in a slip and fall accident that led to injuries. Do not assign any fault, including your own or that you believe the store is at fault for the fall or your injuries
The store may have their own form that requires you to give specific details about the event and your injuries. Do not exaggerate your injuries or lie. Instead, tell them exactly what happened and what injuries you sustained.
Do Not Skip Any Doctors Appointments
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you might be feeling better after a few days, or it could take you weeks or months to recover. Either way, continue seeing your doctor and following their orders explicitly. Do not miss an appointment, go back to work, or do anything that could exacerbate your injuries until you are cleared by your physician.
If you are allowed to go back to work and the doctor has placed restrictions on your activities, follow these orders. Ignoring your doctor's orders or skipping your appointments could be used against you if you decide to file a lawsuit.
The attorneys representing the store or its owners could argue that because you returned to work too early or didn't follow the doctor's orders, the injuries you sustained during the slip and fall incident were not that severe.
Do Not Handle the Claim Yourself
Finally, if you decide to file a lawsuit, do not attempt to take on this massive and confusing task on your own. After asking you several questions, your attorney will begin by determining if you have a strong case. To proceed and win your case, the attorney will need to prove that the store's negligence led to your injuries.
For example, if there was a spill on the floor and it was not cleaned up promptly or no signs were placed warning customers about the spill, the attorney could argue the store or its employees were negligent. Your attorney can also help you determine the types of damages you are entitled to. For example, you may be compensated for your pain, suffering, the cost of your medical bills, and lost wages.
Slip and fall injuries are very common and unfortunately, you may find yourself the victim of a store's negligence. If you are ever injured in a slip and fall, or have any other questions, do not hesitate to contact the professionals at Clearfield & Associates.