Falls are common and dangerous. They have caused an increase in hospital emergency room visits in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) registered over nine million fall victims in 2015.
Although this is an everyday situation, few people know how to react. The moments following a fall are critical. They can impact a person’s health, worsen their physical condition and even affect a potential claim.
What is a Slip-And-Fall Accident?
Slip-and-fall accidents occur when an individual is injured on property owned and maintained by another person. The owner or manager must assume responsibility for the site’s conditions.
A person who has suffered a fall due to the conditions of a property may be able to seek compensation. In law, this type of case is known as premises liability.
Retail stores, supermarkets, warehouses, and shopping malls are the places where most accidents are reported. Here are five common causes:
- Poor lighting in parking lots.
- Broken floors or in poor condition.
- Changes in the floor.
- Wet floor.
- Narrow stairs.
- Sidewalks broken.
External conditions increase the risk, such as weather conditions (rain, snow), potholes, and other obstacles.
6 Key Steps After an Accident
There are six critical steps after a slip-and-fall accident. These actions take care of a person’s physical condition. At the same time, they do not affect a claim for damages suffered:
- Do not try to stand up quickly: Instinctively, injured people try to get up fast. This is a severe mistake. It can make the damage worse.
- Check for injuries: Right after an incident, check that you are not injured. If you can move, get up carefully. If you cannot, call for help.
- Seek medical attention: See a doctor and follow the treatment carefully. Failure to do so may affect a claim.
- Do not discuss your case: Do not assign blame or responsibility. Talk to an experienced premises liability attorney first.
- Document the accident: Most of these facilities have security cameras. You and your attorney can use them to demonstrate the unsafe conditions of the location.
- Watch for symptoms: Watch for signs and health issues. After a fall, symptoms of severe injury may appear time later.
If you are injured in a fall, you may be able to seek compensation. Talk to an attorney if you want to. Experienced premises liability professionals can help you file a claim while you focus on your recovery.