What can I do if I was in a slip-and-fall?

Slip-and-fall (or trip-and-fall) accidents are words used to describe a type of legal personal injury claim.  These claims arise when a person is injured by a defective or dangerous condition of real property.  Examples of dangerous conditions include wet surfaces, steps without handrails, lifted or broken walkways, etc.  Landowners and businesses have a duty to keep their properties safe for visitors.  

A slip-and-fall can result in very serious injuries.  Whether it happens at work or at a store or restaurant, it’s important that you’re aware of the choices available to you. Suffering serious unexpected injuries is frustrating, and it can happen anywhere if the landowner or business is negligent.

The most common injuries in a slip-and-fall

Unfortunately, trip-and-fall or slip-and-fall incidents occur and can cause serious injuries.  Here are some of the types of injuries one might receive in a slip-and-fall:

Cuts: Depending on the severity of the cuts you receive, you may need stitches. Injuries like abrasions and cuts often result from slip-and-fall events.

Broken bones: Experiencing any type of bone breakage is painful and disruptive.  These injuries may prevent you from doing things you need to do, like fulfilling your work responsibilities and spending time with your family. Recovering from broken bones requires medical attention and treatment, which means you will incur medical bills.

Head injuries: Did you take a hit to your head? If so, it’s important that you receive attention from a qualified medical professional to check for traumatic head injuries. Sometimes symptoms from a head injury may take a few days to appear.

Soft tissue injuries: These injuries are mostly invisible, but can cause long term discomfort and pain.  If undiagnosed and untreated, they can be difficult to prove.  

Spinal injuries: Spine injuries are life-changing and may result in extensive medical treatment including surgery, chronic pain, and/or paralysis.  A spinal injury can be devastating.  

What should you do if you experience a slip-and-fall?

If you’re still reading this blog post, it’s because you, or someone you love, has been in a slip-and-fall and are considering hiring a personal injury attorney. Here are the steps you might take to protect your claim:

1. Notify the manager of the business you were in where the slip-and-fall occurred: Whoever is in charge of where you fell needs to know what happened.


2. Take pictures of the scene for documentation: It’s always important to have evidence of what happened. Take pictures of where you fell and the surrounding areas. A business is only liable if the condition of the property was unsafe and caused the fall.  


3. Receive medical attention: As noted earlier in this article, there is a wide range of injuries that you could receive from a slip-and-fall. It’s important that you get any injuries you have documented by a medical professional.


4. Contact a personal injury attorney for a free consultation: It’s important that you know your rights and understand how to make the best decisions regarding your recovery. You can talk to Roy Huntsman of Huntsman Injury Law for a free consultation to know your options and how to receive the care you need. It’s important to know how to seek compensation for your pain and suffering.

If you have the unfortunate experience of being involved in a slip-and-fall event, you will need to take action to protect your health and your possible claim.  Undue delay in asserting your claim, or in seeking treatment will damage your claim.