Falls result in more than one million annual visits to emergency departments across the country. These falls result in a range of symptoms and severity of those symptoms. While some fall victims have minor injuries like cuts or bruises, others are left with fractured hips, suffer concussions, or damage their spinal cord. In some instances, falls may even be fatal.
If you are hurt in a fall on someone else’s property, the law may give you the right to make a claim against the person or company who owns or controls the property.
Whether you fell on public property, in a private residence, or a business, there are some crucial actions to take after a fall accident:
First, obtain medical assistance immediately.
You should seek appropriate medical attention immediately after a fall. Not only should your injuries be evaluated by a medical professional, but your injuries will be fully assessed, thus creating a medical record documenting the extent of your injuries. Timely medical care and diagnosis could save your life. Evidence of the scope of your injuries will also be valuable when you pursue a fall injury claim.
Second, report the accident in a timely manner.
You need to alert the property owner and/or manager immediately after the accident occurs. If the injury happened at a business or private residence, the storeowner or homeowner should generate a formal accident report. Obtain a copy of this report for your records. If you need to leave the accident scene for medical treatment, be sure to contact the appropriate individual as soon as possible to obtain an accident report.
Third, be cautious regarding any statements you provide following the accident.
Whether you are dealing with a homeowner, a landlord, or a business manager, you should avoid getting emotional, casting blame, admitting guilt, or arguing about the details relating to your fall. Some statements could potentially be used to undermine your potential compensation claim. Simply report the facts of your injury in a straightforward manner.
Fourth, obtain contact information for any witnesses to the event.
You should obtain the names, addresses and telephone numbers of anyone who witnessed the accident. These witnesses can back up your story if the property owner tells a different version of events in an effort to escape liability for your fall injuries.
Fifth, take photos.
Be sure to take detailed photographs of the location where your injury occurred, as well as any conditions which contributed to causing the fall. Try to ensure the pictures are time-stamped so it is clear precisely what the conditions were at the time of your accident.
Sixth, ensure you preserve the clothing and shoes you were wearing at the time of the fall.
These can be useful evidence to show that the negligence of the property owner caused the fall.
Finally, contact Rightful Legal.
You should contact Rightful Legal as soon as possible after suffering a fall injury or other accident caused by negligence. An expert premises liability attorney can assist as you begin gathering evidence before it disappears while also ensuring you don’t answer questions unnecessarily or say anything that you should not. It is imperative to consult with an attorney before you sign anything or negotiate with the insurance company that covers the property owner. Insurers focus on their profits rather than on providing you full and fair compensation the injuries you sustained.
Contact Rightful Legal today at 617-821-5856 to schedule your consultation.