What to Do After a Slip-and-Fall

 Posted on August 15, 2022 in Premises Liability

Slipping and falling can be very serious. People who slip and fall typically land squarely on their back or tailbone, often hitting the back of their heads on a hard surface. Concussions or even more serious brain injuries can occur. So can major spinal cord or neck injuries. While it may be funny in a sitcom, slipping and falling in real life is no laughing matter. It is important for everyone to know what to do if they experience a slip-and-fall. Taking the right steps, both immediately at the scene and in the following days, can not only help your case but can also help you prevent further injury. Our attorneys can offer you more specific advice based on your own unique case.

Steps to Take After a Slip-and-Fall

In roughly chronological order, the steps you should take after slipping and falling include:

• Stay down - Do not try to get up until the paramedics arrive. Do not let anyone except the paramedics try to move you. If you have a suspected neck or back injury, you will need to be stabilized with braces before you can be transported to the hospital. Trying to get up on your own can worsen an existing injury. Do call EMS even if you are not sure whether you have been seriously injured.
• Document - Have someone take pictures of everything around the area where you fell. Be thorough. Try to capture anything that has to do with your fall, such as a wet floor sign (or the conspicuous lack thereof), and of course, the substance you slipped on.
• Call an attorney - Do not skip this very important step. It is best to make the call the same day the accident happens if possible. A lawyer can offer you further guidance. Just as you should not get up until EMS arrives, you should not negotiate with the store manager or anyone else until you can speak with an attorney.

What Not to Do After a Slip-and-Fall

You should also know what not to do after a slip-and-fall. One of the main things you need to avoid doing is accepting any responsibility for the accident. Out of conditioned politeness, your instinct might be to say something like, “It is okay, it was my fault. I was not paying attention,” Unfortunately, saying something like this right after an accident could affect your case.

Speak With a Lake County Premises Liability Lawyer

If you have been injured in a slip-and-fall, Salvi & Maher, LLP can help you fight for compensation. Our experienced Waukegan premises liability attorneys will start guiding you as soon as we hear from you. Call 847-662-3303 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-spinal-injury/basics/art-20056677