Every year, thousands of people fall and are injured as a result. Many of these falls are the result of an unsafe environment caused by someone other than the injured. When that is the case, it is important to hold the person or business responsible for the unsafe environment liable for the injuries caused. Slip and fall accidents can be tragic. In the summer of 2013, a woman visiting family in Panama City Beach, Florida died as a result of a fall from the balcony of a 10th floor condominium. Too often, slip and fall victims blame themselves for their accident. They think “I’m such a klutz!” or “I should have looked where I was going!” In reality, it is impossible to always keep an eye out for dangers, especially when those dangers are unexpected. Loose wires, faulty railings, slippery surfaces and obstructed passageways are dangers that should be removed by the owner or manager of the property. When an accident is not your fault, it is imperative that you take the right steps so that when the time comes you can prove that you deserve compensation for your injuries.
What do I do after a slip and fall in Florida?
Your number one priority should be to seek medical attention. Your health is the most important thing. Even if you feel okay, there are many injuries that do not show symptoms until a while after the accident. This is especially true of brain injuries. In addition to getting medical treatment, this visit will document your injuries for any future case. This will help deflect any argument that you were injured at a different time and are merely trying to place the blame somewhere else.
When you slip and fall on someone else’s property, you should immediately alert the property or business manager or the homeowner. If you had to leave quickly to receive medical attention, be sure to call property owner or business back as soon as you can to report the accident. If the business made a record of the accident, make sure to get a copy of the accident report as soon as you can.
If you are able, or someone around you can, take photos of the exact location where your accident happened. The sooner you can do this, the better. This is especially true when the cause of your slip and fall was a temporary condition on the property. Temporary dangerous conditions include things like loose wires, spilled water, and clutter in an aisle way.
Make sure to take down the names and contact information of any witnesses who were on the scene, and the employees who were working at the business that day, if practicable.
Keep all records related to your fall.
Slip and fall accidents are serious, but a skilled legal professional can help you recover for your injuries. Taking these simple steps makes proving that you deserve that compensation that much easier. If you’ve fallen in the Miami-Dade area, please contact the legal professionals at the Perez-Gurri Law Firmtoday for a free consultation.