It’s very easy to tell my clients what to do after a slip and fall accident. But unfortunately, I haven’t met them before they had their accident.
What I always tell them is this, and I share it with friends so that people know: When you fall, the first thing to do is see what caused you to fall. Take a look around. Unfortunately, a lot of times my clients are on the floor, but what caused them to fall? What caused them to slip? Look and identify that defect. That’s very important.
As important, and probably more important, I should say, is to call 911 or ask for help. Get the medical attention you need immediately. That’s first and foremost.
Ask somebody there to call your family. Ask somebody to help and assist you in getting in touch with your loved ones and letting them know what happened to you.
Document everything you went through, whether it be by taking a photograph or asking a witness or somebody in the area, “Can you take a look at that location there? Could somebody report that to the landowner or the property owner?”
Sometimes it’s a fall in a supermarket or at a mall. Get security there. You want a full report. An incident report should be filled out. Let the owner or those in charge of the property know that there was an accident and let them know what caused the accident so everything is documented.
Documenting a fall and getting immediate medical attention are really the two things that jump out as the most important things to do if, unfortunately, you’re hurt in a slip or trip and fall type of accident.