A slip-and-fall accident can have extreme consequences, with injuries ranging from a concussion to broken bones (among many others).
While you do your best to avoid these types of accident, you can’t always predict these type of disasters. For example, many slip-and-falls occur in retail stores or parking lots when Pennsylvania residents are going about their daily tasks.
If you find yourself in this position, here are five steps you can take to preserve your rights:
- Notify the owner of the store or property about the incident. You don’t have to provide too many details, but you do want to make it clear that you were involved in a slip-and-fall accident.
- Preserve evidence. This can include everything from pictures of the scene to the shoes you were wearing at the time of the fall. Even if you think it won’t help in the future, you need to save it.
- Seek immediate medical treatment. Your health is the top priority, so don’t wait around and hope that you can treat your injuries at home. If you’re unable to leave the scene, call 911 and wait for an ambulance to arrive. Neglecting to receive immediate treatment could cause your injury to worsen, and that’s not a risk you should be willing to take.
- Learn about your legal rights. There is no guarantee that you have a case, but you should at least learn more about what to do next in the event that you’re able to file a claim for compensation from the negligent party.
- Follow your doctor’s orders. Again, you should never try to treat injuries on your own. You need to follow everything your doctor says, as they know best. Also, document all your appointments and medical expenses.
It can be a challenge to keep a clear mind if you are part of a slip-and-fall accident. As long as you immediately focus on your health, you put yourself in position to prevent a situation in which your injury worsens. By combining this with a focus on your legal rights, you’ll feel better about what’s to come.