5 Things to Do if You’re in a Slip-and-Fall Accident

You never know when you might find yourself in a slip-and-fall accident. If you've been injured, here are the steps you should follow.

Many people have no idea how dangerous slip-and-fall accidents can be. Yet, every year falls lead to more than 8 million visits to hospital emergency rooms for treatment. On top of that, fall accidents are responsible for more than 10% of job-related fatalities for men at 5% of job-related fatalities for women!

Most people receive training on how to avoid car accidents and what to do if they are in one. However, not everyone receives similar training for what to do if they are in a slip-and-fall accident. This is unfortunate because many more people are vulnerable to slipping and falling than are likely to be involved in a car accident.



So what do you need to focus on to handle your slip-and-fall accident as well as possible? Read on to learn all about the most critical steps to take to manage the aftermath of a slip-and-fall accident!

1. Focus on Safety After Slip-and-Fall Accidents

Before anything else, it is essential to focus on your personal safety. It is not always apparent how injured someone is after a slip-and-fall accident. Some people try to make sudden movements and end up hurting themselves even more.

After you fall, it is crucial to stay calm and understand as much as possible about the situation before proceeding. Sometimes, you might give yourself an extra bruise or exacerbate an existing injury. However, some people can damage their spine by moving around the wrong way right after an accident.

You should also avoid moving at all if you notice specific symptoms. If you notice anything that seems like nerve damage, you should stay completely still for as long as it takes until first responders arrive to take you for medical treatment. If people try to move you, let them know that you have decided it is better not to risk exacerbating possible nerve damage.

2. Report Your Slip-and-Fall Injury

Once you have seen to your personal safety, you should seek whatever help you need. For example, if you have fallen at work, you might ask a coworker to tell a manager about the incident. If you fall alone, you might need to call 911 for help.

Some people are unsure if their situation is serious enough to merit a call to emergency responders. However, it is better to be safe than sorry. On top of that, it is often easier to find out if your situation merits emergency help or not simply by asking people who know more about it.

When you call 911, you can explain the situation to them and ask what you should do. If they tell you that your situation sounds mild enough that you do not need help, you can take some comfort in the assessment of a professional. On the other hand, if they tell you that you need assistance, then it is even better that you make sure to call.

Calling the authorities also provides another advantage. It creates an almost immediate official record of your fall. In some cases, that can be vital information later on in court.

For example, if you need to prove the nature of your fall to win compensation to help you recover from your injuries, it can help to show that you made a call to the authorities about your accident as soon as it happened. If you cannot make this call yourself, you can ask someone else to do it for you.

3. Gather Evidence for a Potential Slip-and-Fall Claim

Depending on your situation, you might want to prepare for a possible slip-and-fall claim. Sometimes the negligence of others or an institution can contribute to your accident. In that case, you might be entitled to compensation.

For that reason, it is best to gather evidence immediately to document the nature of your injuries. Consider taking photos or even videos of where you fell. If there are any signs of your fall, you want to capture those in particular.

You should also take multiple photos and videos of your injuries. Some people take a single series of photos when they first get an injury and then stop. However, it is often a good idea to record how your injuries heal over time.

You should also document any medical and psychological records that result from your accident.

4. Make Sure to Receive Medical Attention

Even if you do not need emergency medical attention, you may need to see your doctor. Sometimes, symptoms show up hours or even days after a fall. When that happens, it is vital to notice this evidence of injury and speak with your doctor about it.

Understand What to Do After Being in a Slip-and-Fall Accident

We hope learning about the most important things to do after being in a slip-and-fall accident has been helpful for you. If you are not careful, you can take a bad situation and make it worse by accident. Finding the proper legal counsel to help you navigate your legal situation after a slip-and-fall accident can help you achieve the best outcome possible.

To learn more about handling your legal situation after a slip-and-fall accident, get in touch with Pablo G. Martinez Law Firm.