Slips and falls are, by nature, unexpectedāas are the injuries that follow. It can be hard to think clearly in the succeeding moments when adrenaline and tensions run high.
Knowing what to do after a slip and fall accident in Florida can offer much-needed reassurance. It also helps you protect both your health and legal rights. A Florida slip and fall accident lawyer from Meldon Law can explain more.
What to Do Immediately After the Accident
Following your slip and fall, check for injuries and determine your immediate medical needs. Contact 911 for medical assistanceāwhether that ends up being an ambulance ride to the hospital or on-site care by an emergency medical technician (EMT).
If there doesn’t seem to be an injury that requires urgent care, you should still see a medical professional as soon as possible. Some injuries are not immediately evident, and the longer you wait to get treatment, the more serious your condition could become.
Report the Accident to Law Enforcement
Ask for an incident report from the police or those who attended to your injuries. If you did not call 911, report the accident to the property owner or manager using the appropriate form, if they have one for reporting accidents on the premises. If there is no ready-made form, email the owner or manager with details of the accident and injury.
Take Photos of the Area and Injuries
Many of us carry phones with built-in cameras. Use that to take pictures and videos of the entire area, as well as the path you followed that led to the slip and fall. If possible, document the hazard that led to your fall. These hazards may include:
- Loose railings on a staircase
- A puddle in a walkway
- Debris or clutter in a store aisle
- Newly waxed floors without warning signs
- Cracked or uneven flooring
- Torn carpeting
Also, be sure to take photos of your external injuries. Doing so creates an immediate connection between your fall and the harm you suffered.
Get Witnesses’ Contact Information
Ask for the names and contact information of everyone who saw the accident. Use your phone, if possible, to video record each one as they explain what they saw. If someone does not want to be recorded on video, ask if you may record them on audio only. If you arenāt up to interviewing witnesses, our team will handle it.
It’s okay if you couldn’t get all of this evidence and information. When you hire a slip and fall injury lawyer from Meldon Law, we can investigate the details of your fall and build a compelling case.
What to Do After You’ve Left the Accident Scene
There are additional considerations once you’ve left the accident scene. They include:
Limiting What You Share Online
The property owner or claims adjuster may look for any shred of information to discredit your case. That includes anything you share on your social media pages. While your case progresses, limit what you share about your accident and injuries. You don’t want to give the other party any reason to deny damages.
Collecting Evidence
Proving fault and liability for a slip and fall injury can be difficult. That’s because, immediately after your fall, the hazard could be removed. While a lawyer can gather the evidence needed to build your case, if possible, you should keep the following information and share it with your legal team:
- Copies of police and medical reports
- Copies of communications concerning the accident between you and the property owner or manager
- Personal notes detailing the incident
- Eyewitness statements
- Visual evidence
- Your clothing and shoes worn at the time of the accident, bagged and uncleaned
- A physical sample of what you slipped on (if applicable)
Refusing to Give a Recorded Statement
The insurance company may ask for a recorded statement, saying that it wants to hear what happened in your own words. Don’t be fooled; this is a tactic many insurance companies use to twist claimants’ words into things they didn’t intend. When you have a lawyer on your side, you don’t have to worry about this. They can handle all communications with the liable insurance company and protect your rights.
What NOT to Do After a Slip and Fall in Florida
Just as important as knowing what steps to take after a slip and fall is knowing which mistakes to avoid. Even an innocent misstep in the days after your accident can give the property owner’s insurance company an excuse to deny or devalue your claim. Here’s what our Florida slip and fall attorneys tell every client to avoid.
Don’t Apologize or Admit Fault at the Scene
In the moments after a fall, it’s natural to feel embarrassed or to instinctively say “I’m fine” or “it was my fault.” Resist that urge. Shock and adrenaline can mask the severity of an injury, and anything you say at the scene can later be used to argue that you, not the property owner, were responsible for what happened. Stick to the facts, and let your attorney handle the rest.
Don’t Delay Medical Treatment
Waiting to see a doctor because you feel “okay enough” is one of the most damaging mistakes a slip and fall victim can make. Gaps in treatment give insurance companies room to argue that your injuries weren’t serious, or that something other than the fall caused them. Seeking care right away protects both your health and your claim.
Don’t Sign Anything From the Property Owner or Their Insurer
Property owners and their insurance representatives may ask you to sign a statement or release shortly after your fall. These documents are rarely in your best interest; some are written to limit your ability to recover full compensation later. Before you sign anything, let one of our attorneys review it first.
Don’t Accept a Quick Settlement Offer
An early settlement offer may sound appealing, especially if medical bills are piling up. However, these offers are almost always far less than what your claim is actually worth, particularly if you haven’t finished treatment or don’t yet know the full extent of your injuries. Our firm can help you understand the true value of your case before you agree to anything.
Don’t Throw Away Evidence
It can be tempting to discard the clothes or shoes you were wearing, especially if they’re damaged or dirty. Don’t. These items, along with any sample of the substance you slipped on, can serve as important evidence. Bag them as-is and keep them somewhere safe until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
Don’t Discuss Your Case With Anyone but Your Attorney
Friends, family, and even well-meaning coworkers may want details about your accident, but the fewer people who know the specifics of your case, the better. Conversations can be repeated, misquoted, or used out of context. You can direct any questions about your case straight to us.
Our firm knows that what you do, and don’t do, in the days and weeks after a slip and fall can make or break your claim. That’s why we’re here from the very beginning, guiding you through every decision so you don’t have to navigate this alone.
We are here for you 24/7
(Consultations are Free)
Explore Your Options With a Slip and Fall Attorney
If you slipped and fell on someone else’s property due to another’s negligence, Meldon Law can handle your case’s obligations. This includes:
Investigating the Details of Your Slip and Fall
As the injured party, you must prove that the responsible person knew or should have known about the dangerous condition on their property yet failed to address it. Then, the dangerous condition caused you to slip, fall, and suffer injuries.
An attorney will investigate the details of your fall and gather supporting evidence. This may involve interviewing witnesses, visiting the accident scene, and reviewing the property’s maintenance records.
Seeking Compensation for Your Losses
Your lawyer has one primary goal: to recover compensation for your injury-related losses. Compensable losses may comprise:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of future earnings
- Property damage expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Disability
- Diminished quality of life
Your lawyer may start your pursuit of compensation by filing a claim with the negligent party’s insurance company. However, if we determine that litigation is the best way to get what you deserve, we can file a lawsuit. This involves taking depositions, cross-examining witnesses, and understanding courtroom procedure.
It also involves managing deadlines. Per Florida Statutes Ā§ 95.11, you generally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. It’s vital that we act within this deadline because, if we don’t, you could lose the right to seek damages.
Connect With Meldon Law’s Slip and Fall Legal Team
At Meldon Law, we are passionate about protecting our clients’ rights and fighting for every dime they deserve. We won’t back down in pursuit of full and fair compensation for those we consider family. Our legal team is a force to be reckoned with, as evidenced by our client testimonials.
Call today to learn more about working with our Florida premises liability lawyers during a free case evaluation with one of our slip and fall attorneys. We are on your side.
