SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS

5 Tips If You’ve Been Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident

What you do after a slip and fall accident can impact your claim. Slip and fall victims are often upset or embarrassed because they fell. You may even try to apologize for falling. Don’t do it!

If you have a slip and fall accident, remain calm and follow these steps so you don’t jeopardize your potential case:​

1. Get a Copy of Accident Report

If the accident happened at a store or business, the store manager will probably have you fill out an accident report, documenting the incident. Be careful what you write and request a copy.

2. Figure Out Why You Fell

Closely look around the area where you fell to find out what caused you to fall. Take photos and get witnesses’ contact information. Do not rely on the business owner to do so.

3. Find Video

Ask the property or store owner if the area where you fell has video surveillance, and request for a copy of the video. It’s likely they will refuse.

If they will not tell you if your fall was taped, look around the ceilings of the building for domes of hidden cameras. ​They look like this:

4. Seek Medical Attention Immediately, Even If You Are Not in Pain

Sometimes you won’t feel the effects of your injury until the next day. But even if you don’t feel any pain, visit a local urgent care clinic.

A doctor can provide a professional diagnosis of any injuries caused by the fall, in writing. Here in Central Oregon, there are several urgent care clinics where you can get treated for your injuries promptly.

5. Make a Claim For MedPay or Medical Premises Insurance

Ask the property owner whether they have MedPay or Medical Premises insurance coverage as part of their Commercial General Liability insurance (or CGL). It may help pay your medical bills and/or the out-of-pocket expenses you incur for co-payments and deductibles under your health insurance policy.

Why and When Should I Talk to an Attorney?

Proving that the property owner or operator was liable for causing your fall can be difficult. That’s why it’s so important to consult an experienced slip and fall attorney. The possessor of land has different duties depending on whether you were a customer (invitee), visitor (licensee) or trespasser.

If you were a customer, the property owner or operator has to keep the premises “reasonably safe” for your visit, and must act reasonably to discover hazardous conditions. Once the possessor discovers a hazardous condition, they must fix it or warn you about it.

Curious as to how much you can get from a slip and fall lawsuit?

Read our blog post on Settlement Payouts for Slip & Fall Cases.

Where do Slip and Fall Accidents Occur?

Slip and fall accidents – also called “premises liability accidents” – often happen in commercial settings including:

• Grocery stores or supermarkets
• Restaurants
• Athletic clubs
• Parking lots
• Public property such as sidewalks, parking lots or public parks

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents are caused by many different hazards including:

• Foreign substances on the floor of the business, such as water, pop or food. If your fall was caused by a foreign substance on the floor, find out how the substance got there and for how long the substance was there, as that may be important to your claim.
• Areas constructed in violation of the building codes, such as stairways without handrails, nonuniform stairs and incorrect sized landings. The City of Bend requires buildings built or remodeled on or after 1993, and possibly earlier, to comply with the Uniform Building Code, Bend Code 9.200(1).
• According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, floors and flooring materials contribute directly to more than 2 million injuries from falls each year
• Unlevel sidewalks, ramps or driveways
• Hidden holes or unlevel areas in yards or other outdoor areas

Impacts of Slips and Fall Accidents

Gary R. Johnson knows how slip and fall accidents can impact your life, including:

• Physical injuries which limit your ability to work or do housework
• Pain and suffering from your injuries
• Missed time from work and family to receive medical treatment, attend medical visits, operations and physical therapy
• Lost wages and income from missing work
• Future damages including medical expenses, lost wages and impairment of your earning capacity from ongoing physical limitations from your injuries
• Disruption of your relationship with your partner, spouse and family
• Limited ability to engage in the recreational and sports activities you enjoy

Slip and fall accidents can even result in death, and in these cases, Gary R. Johnson represents the victim’s loved ones in the resulting wrongful death claim.

Remember – we don’t charge to talk with prospective clients. Read up on the successful slip and fall lawsuit cases we won for our clients, and contact us for more information.