Important Steps You Should Take After a Slip-and-Fall Accident
Slip-and-fall accidents are some of the most jarring, as one moment, you are simply going about your day, and the next, you’re on the ground and in pain. Though of course, these accidents are sometimes inevitable, the truth is, oftentimes, people are injured because a property owner failed to take reasonable care to ensure all passersby are safe. Whether you were injured on private or public property, you should know that property owners owe all who enter and exit their property a duty of care. Therefore, if you can prove that the property owner in question either knew, or should have reasonably known about the safety hazard present, failed to address it, and you were injured as a result, there is a good chance you will qualify for financial compensation.
In recent times, there has been a surge of significant lawsuits successfully filed against retail stores for slip-and-fall accidents. For example, just this past July, a Florida woman, Stephanie Jenkins, aged 47, was awarded more than $1.93 million for past and future medical expenses, as well as pain and suffering, for injuries she sustained after slipping and falling in a Tallahassee USA Grocers. The incident occurred roughly three years ago in December 2016. Shortly after Jenkins entered the store, she slipped on a puddle of water that was left standing around a bin of melted ice. Jenkins was seriously injured, and jurors found USA Grocers fully liable for the incident.
If you are someone who was injured in a slip-and-fall accident, you cannot simply brush it off and “go it alone.” You may be entitled to significant compensation, which can help cover the cost of your medical bills, lost current and future wages, and any other financial hardship caused by your wrongly-sustained injuries. Please read on and reach out to our experienced Florida personal injury attorneys to learn more about what to do after a slip-and-fall accident, and how our firm can help you recover the compensation you need. Here are seven key steps you should take after a Florida slip-and-fall accident:
1. Take Photos at the Scene of the Accident
In today’s day and age, almost everyone has a cell phone readily available at all times. Use this to your advantage. After your accident, immediately begin taking pictures so you can document the exact location where you fell, the surrounding area, the safety hazard that caused your accident, the injuries you’ve sustained, any damage to your clothing or personal items, and any other evidence that may contribute to your claim.
2. Collect Witnesses’ Contact Information
If anyone witnessed your accident, you should politely ask for their name and phone number. Generally, a business card or email address will also suffice. By doing so, you ensure your attorney can reach any of these witnesses so they may confirm your personal injury claim.
3. Call the Police and Seek Medical Attention
This is perhaps the most important step you can take after an accident, for obvious reasons. Your health is first and foremost, and if you have been involved in an accident, you need a physician to address your injuries. When you call the police, they will write up an accident report and send an ambulance. You must ensure your injuries are treated accordingly, and what’s more, a physician will provide you with medical records that you may use to prove your personal injury claim.
4. Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
Once you receive a treatment plan, you must ensure you carefully follow your doctor’s orders. Skipping follow-up appointments, exercising when you should be resting, or returning to work too soon are all mistakes that could compromise your financial recovery. The goal is to not give insurance companies any reason to deny your claim. If they somehow find that you disobeyed your doctor’s orders, they may use it against you.
5. Stay Away From Social Media Until Your Claim is Resolved
In a sense, this goes hand-in-hand with following doctor’s orders. When you file an insurance claim, you should always stay away from social media. The property owner’s insurance company will most likely look for anything it can find to disprove or discredit your claim, including the information you post online. Do not jeopardize your claim–avoid social media altogether, if at all possible.
6. Do Not Settle Too Soon
When insurance companies realize you have a valid personal injury claim, they will, oftentimes, offer you a settlement. However, you must keep in mind that insurance companies are not here to fight for your rights–Ansbacher Law is. Before you accept an insurance payment, you should retain the services of an experienced personal injury attorney who always has your best interests at heart.
7. Discuss Your Case with an Attorney
As stated above, hiring an attorney you can trust is a critical step in winning the compensation you deserve. Our firm has been helping those injured receive compensation they need for years, and we are ready to do the same for you. If you have been injured in the Jacksonville area, our attorneys are ready to fight for the maximum financial recovery on your behalf.
Contact our experienced Florida firm
Ansbacher Law is composed of knowledgeable attorneys who are ready to assist clients with various legal matters throughout North Florida. We understand the urgency of your personal injury claim and additional legal matters, which is why we provide each of our clients with compassionate and efficient legal assistance, every step of the way. Please contact our office for an initial consultation today.
