What Should You Do After a Slip-and-Fall Accident?
Slip-and-fall accidents are one of the most common causes of unintentional injury-related deaths. In 2016 alone, over 34,000 people died in falls at home and at work. Of course, not every slip-and-fall accident is fatal.
In fact, over 30% of all preventable, non-fatal emergency department visits are due to fall-related injuries. It should come as no surprise, then, that these injuries are not only physically traumatizing but also emotionally scarring.
It can be hard to keep yourself straight after a slip-and-fall accident. However, proper follow-up is necessary not only to achieve optimal physical recovery but also to further protect yourself and any potential claims you may file. Here are some of the most important things you can do for yourself after suffering personal injury from a slip-and-fall accident.
Steps to Take
- Gather as much evidence as you can. If possible, take photographs and/or videos of your injuries and the conditions that caused them. Remember to take note of the environment in which you fell and what you were doing before the accident. If you are knocked unconscious during your fall, it may help to ask the property for any security footage they have. It’s also important to collect names and contact information of any witnesses.
- Report your accident to the proper authorities. For example, if your slip and fall accident happened at work, you may want to file a report with your HR department. You will likely also need to contact the police during this process. If you know the accident wasn’t your fault, you can file a complaint against the property owner. Any reports you file can also be used as evidence later.
- Get medical attention. It’s important to do this as soon as possible, as medical professionals may be able to identify any internal or “hidden” injuries that could pass by unnoticed on your own. Medical reports may also serve as valuable pieces of evidence later on, should you choose to file a personal injury claim.
- Contact a slip-and-fall accident lawyer. A reputable attorney will be an immense help, especially if you are going to be going up against a larger company with seemingly endless resources. The last thing you will want to do—particularly when you’re already in severe physical pain—is attempt to represent yourself.
Seeking Legal Assistance
If you have been suffering personal injury as a result of a slip-and-fall accident in New York, the experienced attorneys at Gattuso & Ciotoli, PLLC may be able to help. Although our offices are located in Syracuse, we serve the general Central New York area, including Syracuse, Watertown, Binghamton, Camillus, Liverpool, Cortland, and Auburn. Call any time day or night at (315) 314-8000 to schedule a free consultation with a qualified member of our legal team. We have more than 50 years of combined personal injury experience successfully representing and negotiating the best possible outcome for our clients. We can help you, too. Get the compensation you deserve.