If you slip and fall on public or private property, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Whether the case will yield a payout, however, will depend on several factors. What you do at the scene, for example, and in the days and weeks that follow will have a major impact on the strength of your case. As such, personal injury attorneys urge everyone to remember these tips in the event of a slip and fall accident. 

Do:

Document the scene. 

Unless you sustained life-threatening injuries, record the scene before leaving. For example, photograph the hazard that caused you to slip, and ask any eyewitnesses for their names and phone numbers so your personal injury attorney can follow up with them. If the accident happened at a business establishment, find the manager on duty, as well, and request an incident report. 

Visit a doctor promptly. 

Some impact injuries are not immediately apparent, which means even if you feel fine, you may require medical attention. Visiting a doctor right away will also demonstrate a commitment to mitigating damages, which is essential for pursuing the maximum payout possible. 

Don’t:

Provide a recorded statement. 

To “lock in” the total damages, the claims adjuster may ask you for a recorded statement fairly early in the proceedings. Do not provide one before consulting an attorney. You should also avoid discussing the event in detail with the opposing party until your legal team has conducted a thorough investigation. Just as social media posts could hurt your claim, any discrepancies between what you say—even if they’re merely assumptions—and what happened will threaten the strength of your case. 

Post about the incident online. 

Discussing the accident or your injuries on social media could end up jeopardizing your claim. If your first impression of the incident ends up contradicting what really happened—which is perfectly normal following a traumatic event—the insurance adjuster can use the discrepancies to challenge your entire case. It’s also wise to avoid posting about your social life because the opposing party may try to use any such images, videos, and statuses as proof that you're exaggerating your injuries. 

If you were hurt on someone else’s property, contact Osborne, Tripp & Schmidt to determine how you should proceed. Located in Sparta, WI, this full-service firm is proud to help injured parties recover what is rightfully theirs. Personal injury isn't their only area of expertise, though. They also assist with bankruptcy filings, real estate transactions, criminal defense, family law disputes, probate, and tax preparation. To request a consultation, reach out online or call (608) 269-2400.