What to do if you are injured in a store?
If you have been injured in a slip and fall at a store or commercial property, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Getting the necessary medical care after a slip and fall accident is important for two reasons: it ensures all of your injuries are properly treated and it legally documents your accident-related injuries, which is important for receiving a monetary settlement.
Next, after receiving medical care, you must report the accident to the store manager or owner. Failing to report a slip and fall accident to the property owner could eliminate your chances of filing a lawsuit or recovering compensation. Insurance companies will question the legitimacy of your slip and fall claim if you never receive medical attention and if you never report the incident to the store owner.
Third, you must document everything you can about your slip and fall accident. This includes information about store conditions, such as flooring, lighting, and cleanliness, and names of any witnesses. In some cases, you may not be able to gather evidence after being injured. However, if you can, document the conditions of an accident scene by taking pictures with your smartphone. Take as many pictures as you can, from as many angles as you can, so your accident claim cannot be disputed for legitimacy.
Fourth, do not post about your slip and fall accident on any social media platform. It’s tempting to post about a serious and unexpected event in your life; however, anything you post on social media can be used against you during the lawsuit.
Finally, contact an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney will be able to handle all components of a slip and fall case, so you can focus on what matters most—healing. For example, a slip and fall attorney will collect all of the necessary evidence, communicate with the insurance company and opposing legal team, help you find the necessary medical care, and give you a better chance of securing a higher slip and fall settlement value.