The last thing that anybody is thinking about when they go to a store is that they will be injured in a slip and fall accident. Unfortunately, there are times when the careless or negligent actions of a property owner or their employees lead to hazardous slip and fall situations. If you or somebody you love has been injured in a slip and fall accident caused by the actions of a store owner or employee, there are various steps that you can take in order to help ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
What to Do After You Slip and Fall in a Store
Here, we want to discuss important steps you can take after a slip and fall accident to ensure you are properly cared for and receive the compensation you deserve.
Report the Incident to a Manager
Immediately following a slip and fall injury, you need to find out who the store manager is and let them know that you were injured in a slip and fall accident. Even if the incident does not seem serious, ask the manager or supervisor to file a formal report. Many stores have slip and fall policies in place, but others do not. If there is a formal policy in place, request a copy of the report after one is filled out. If the store does not have a formal process for slip and fall accidents, get the store manager’s name and contact information so you can send a letter to them describing the accident, what caused it, as well as a description of your injuries and your medical treatment.
Take Pictures and Speak to Witnesses
If you are able to do so, use your smartphone or another type of camera to take pictures of any causes of the slip and fall accident, as well as the exact location you fell on the store. You can also ask somebody else to do this for you. Photos of hazards can prove to be invaluable when you are making an injury claim. Also, be sure to get photographs from multiple angles and distances to give more perspective for the insurance claims adjuster or for a jury.
Additionally, get the names and contact information of any person who witnessed your slip and fall incident. Their testimony could prove to be invaluable for your case.
Seek Medical Care Immediately
You need to seek medical assistance following any slip and fall injury in a store. Even if you do not feel much pain, it is important to understand that the signs and symptoms of many slip and fall accident injuries may not appear until hours or days after the incident. Having medical records that begin immediately after the incident occurs will be essential pieces of evidence to use when you are seeking compensation.
Keep a Journal to Document Your Recollections
You should keep a journal that keeps track of everything you remember about the accident. This does not have to be fancy. A journal could be a bunch of pieces of loose-leaf paper or a simple composition notebook. Regardless of how you document the incident, you should keep an accurate and detailed account of what happened. This can include everything you remember about the slip and fall incident, all of your medical treatment, as well as the pain and suffering you have endured in the aftermath of the incident.
Understand What You’ll Need to Prove
Store slip and fall cases in California generally require showing that the property owner or an employee knew, or reasonably should have known, about the hazardous condition and failed to fix it or warn customers within a reasonable amount of time. This is why documenting the exact condition of the floor, any warning signs or lack thereof, and how long the hazard appears to have existed all matter for building a strong claim.
Contact an Attorney
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a slip and fall accident at a store in Orange County, CA, you should seek assistance from a lawyer as soon as possible. A skilled and experienced Irvine slip and fall attorney will have the resources and legal expertise necessary to help you through your entire case. They will be able to obtain and preserve any evidence needed to prove liability. An attorney will also work with trusted medical professionals to help evaluate your injuries and calculate total expected losses. Review our case results to see how our team has approached serious injury claims, and contact our office to discuss your situation with our experienced attorneys.
Frequently Asked Questions About Store Slip and Fall Claims
What do I need to prove in a store slip and fall case?
Generally, you need to show the store knew or reasonably should have known about the hazardous condition and failed to address it or warn customers within a reasonable amount of time.
What if the store refuses to file an incident report?
Get the manager’s name and contact information, and send a written letter describing what happened, your injuries, and any treatment received, even if the store has no formal reporting process in place.
How soon do symptoms from a slip and fall typically appear?
Some injuries are immediately apparent, while others, particularly soft tissue and back injuries, may not produce noticeable symptoms until hours or even days after the fall.
Do I need witness statements even if there is security camera footage?
Witness statements are still valuable, since footage may not capture the full context, and stores are not always required to preserve camera footage for an extended period after an incident.
How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim in California?
California generally applies a two-year statute of limitations to personal injury claims, though certain circumstances can affect this deadline, so it is best to consult an attorney as soon as possible after the incident.
