Nothing will ruin your day—or the next six months—faster than a slip and fall accident when running errands. All it takes is one wrong step on a cracked, uneven, or slippery surface to sustain serious injuries that land you in the hospital.
According to the National Floor Safety Institute, falls are responsible for 87 percent of fractures among individuals older than 65, and they are the second leading cause of brain and spinal cord injuries. Although vulnerable populations like the elderly and those with limited mobility are more prone to sustaining serious injuries in a slip and fall accident, anyone can end up seriously hurt if they fall at just the right angle.
If you sustained debilitating injuries after slipping on someone else’s property, contact Ballard Law, PLLC to discuss your case. You may be entitled to compensation for hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and other damages. Call 769-572-5111 to schedule a free case evaluation with an injury attorney in Madison.
Read on to learn what to do immediately following a slip and fall accident:
- Photograph the Scene
Business owners, landlords, and shopkeepers know that a personal injury claim is likely when someone falls on their property, so they are usually quick to remove or repair the hazard that caused the accident. If you did not sustain life-threatening injuries, stay and photograph the scene of the incident from all angles before someone has a chance to alter it. You should also gather the names and contact information of any witnesses.
- Report the Accident
Report the accident immediately after documenting the scene. Do not leave until you have an incident report in writing from the establishment acknowledging that the accident did in fact happen on that particular date and time.
- Visit Your Doctor
If there is even a chance you will end up filing a personal injury claim, seek medical care as soon as possible. Accident victims who wait too long to visit their doctor have a much harder time proving their damages and tying them to the slip and fall.
- Document Evidence of Damages
Take photographs of your injuries every day, file all paperwork regarding your diagnosis and treatment, and save all receipts for any medication or medical equipment that you purchase in order to facilitate recovery. If the injuries prevent you from returning to work, keep track of the lost income, as well.
- Call an Injury Attorney
The sooner you call an accident lawyer, the sooner your attorney can begin investigating your case and gathering evidence to prove negligence, liability, and the value of your damages. Once your health has stabilized, call a lawyer as soon as possible.
Premises liability laws are incredibly complicated, and making just one mistake or oversight could significantly reduce the amount of compensation you recover or prevent you from recovering any compensation at all. If you sustained serious injuries after falling on someone else’s property, contact Ballard Law, PLLC.
William E. Ballard will evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for an injury claim. Call 769-572-5111 to schedule a free consultation with an accident lawyer in Madison. You can learn more about personal injury law in Mississippi by visiting USAttorneys.com.
