Published on behalf of Most people who slip and fall or trip and fall in a public place, like a shopping mall or grocery store walk away uninjured. However, for some folks, severe injuries may result. The last thing on someone’s mind is whether they will need to take legal action. However, if the injuries are so severe that significant medical bills are incurred or significant wage loss occurs, then taking legal action may be necessary. Click here for more legal information about Pennsylvania slip and fall law. Here are tips on what to do if you have been in a slip and fall or trip and fall accident in Pennsylvania.
1. Assess your injuries and seek immediate medical attention, if necessary.
Many people will not immediately feel an injury and despite having been seriously injured, may be able to get up and walk away. However, moments or even hours later, the severity of the injury may become apparent. Call 911 and follow up as instructed with your family doctor and any specialists.
2. Report the accident to the store manager.
Proving what occurred is usually easier with an accident report, which may indicate what caused the accident to occur. For instance, the report may detail the presence of water, food or surface walkway issues like uneven areas. However, even if the report fails to indicate the cause of the accident, other important details will be recorded, such as date, time, location, witnesses, existence of videotape/pictures, and who reported the accident.
3. Have someone take a picture of what caused you to fall.
It is not uncommon for people to naturally assume they tripped over their own feet. In many cases, tripping over one’s own feet is the primary cause of a fall accident. However, for slips caused by water or trips caused by food or other products left on the floor, especially where a significant injury results, the laws of Pennsylvania allow you to recover for the injuries, if someone’s negligence led to the accident.
4. Identify eyewitnesses.
If possible, get names and telephone numbers of any eyewitnesses because the store or business’ incident report will almost always be favorable to the store. Valuable information like eyewitness information may be lost. If you are able, try to identify eyewitnesses.
5. Do not speak to anyone from the store or its insurance company until you’ve spoken to a slip and fall lawyer.
In the days and weeks after an accident, you may be contacted by an insurance company for the store or business who tries to bully you into giving up information about yourself, your injuries, etc. You are under no legal obligation to speak to any of the store’s employees or insurance representatives, including investigators or adjusters.
More Pennsylvania Slip and Fall Legal Articles:
- Pennsylvania Slip and Fall Accident Law-Suits Against Government Agencies
- Pennsylvania Sidewalk Slip, Trip and Fall Accident Liability
- Slip and Fall Accidents at Work in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers
For nearly 30 years, our firm has been representing Pennsylvania residents in personal injury matters, including slip and fall or trip and fall cases. To speak to one of our Pennsylvania slip and fall accident lawyers, call 215.925.4451
The slip and fall accident lawyers at Schwartz & Blackman handle cases in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey area and always offer a free consultation:
- PA: Berks County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Philadelphia County, Allentown, Lehigh Valley, Norristown, Philadelphia
- NJ: Atlantic County, Burlington County, Camden County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Camden, Cherry Hill, New Jersey shore cities
*This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is important to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
October 17, 2012