7 Things To Do After A Slip & Fall Accident

Slip-and-fall accidents can lead to more than bruised egos — and they’re usually not the victim’s fault. Maybe you slipped and fell on an icy sidewalk outside your Denver apartment. Perhaps you tripped over an unsecured electrical cord at your Pueblo workplace. Or maybe your elderly mother fell at a Colorado Springs nursing home.

What should you do after you or a loved one is injured in a slip-and-fall accident? We at McCormick & Murphy personal injury law firm review seven crucial steps all slip-and-fall victims should take — the sooner, the better.

1. Seek medical attention. Your wellbeing should always come first. It’s possible you may have only suffered cuts, bruises, sprains or strains, but more serious injuries such as fractures, breaks, traumatic brain injury and other internal injuries are possible. Getting checked out ASAP will ensure that you receive essential medical care. It will also result in crucial documentation that your injuries are related to your fall.
2. Get witnesses’ info. Make sure to take down their name, address and phone number. An individual who didn’t see you fall but who witnessed the aftermath may still be a valuable witness, as he or she can attest to the conditions at the time of the fall, such as an icy sidewalk or uneven concrete.
3. Take photos of the scene. A picture is truly worth a thousand words — perhaps even more in court. You can testify to the conditions that lead to your fall, but it will likely be your word against theirs — unless you have photo or video evidence.
4. File a report with a manager. If your accident occurred at a business with a manager — perhaps a store, apartment complex or nursing home — be sure to inform him of the accident. If he has an accident form on hand, fill it out. (Be sure to request a copy or take a picture of it after completion.) If there is no form, concentrate on what he is saying and jot notes as soon as you’re alone again. Be sure to get his contact information, as well as the contact information of anyone else who heard your exchange.
5. Write down what happened. Memories can be such fickle things. Don’t rely on yours. As soon as possible after the accident, write — or better yet, email yourself (think timestamp) — your account of the accident. Your account, produced shortly after the accident, will be more valuable in court than your retelling of the incident months down the road.
6. Store the clothes and shoes you were wearing. Place them in an oversized Ziploc bag, if possible. They may come in handy during your court case. Your lawyer will surely thank you for your foresight.
7. Contact a reputable personal injury lawyer. After the sting of your injuries has dulled, your accident may not seem like a huge deal. It may even seem embarrassing, as if it was the result of personal clumsiness. Truthfully, it may be a huge deal — if not now, in the future, if your injuries prevent you from working, taking care of your family and enjoying life. And the accident, very likely, is not your fault. A reputable personal injury attorney will review your case for free and won’t collect unless she wins your case in court. Contacting an attorney early on ensures no mistakes are made in the handling of your case. It also shifts the burden off of your shoulders so that you can focus on healing, spending time with family and enjoying life.

If you were hurt in a slip-and-fall accident, give us a call at 1-719-249-0541 or fill out this form for a free case review. Our veteran personal injury attorneys Kirk McCormick and James Murphy have more than 50 years of legal experience and have recovered millions of dollars for our clients over the past 20 years.