July 12, 2007

The most recent federal statistics shows that slip and fall occurrences cover 15% of the total number of accidental fatalities. Thus, if a person incurred injuries or died due to the hazardous condition of another party’s premises, he or she may demand for damages against the owner of the property where he or she was harmed. However, from a legal point of view, accident cases involving slip and fall are more intricate to defend. This is because the owner can simply wash out the dangerous setting that can be used as evidence in a slip and fall incident. We all know that physical evidences such as the scene of the crime are very vital in any case resolution. Hence, to ensure a positive outcome for the claim, it is best to follow these instructions if ever you will be engaged in a slip and fall accident:

Take photographs of the scene

Immediately after the incident look for a camera in order to take some pictures of the condition of area or location where the accident happen. Capture the floor surface, mats or rugs if there is any and the condition of your shoes and clothing. More so, you should have photos of the safety warning signs situated in the place of accident. Take pictures as well as your incurred bruises, cuts, and all your other visible injuries. Take a shot of everything, even the small details, that you may think has an importance in the case. Afterwards, submit the pictures to your trusted slip and fall lawyer for proper assessment.

Look for credible witnesses

Statements of the witnesses have a strong value in every legal case. Get the names of the people around when the accident happen. List their addresses, telephone numbers and other information on how you may contact them then keep it in a secured place. Make several revisits to the place for some other possible witnesses. If you have obtained enough number of eyewitnesses, never attempt to get in touch with them again. Let your legal counsel do the job.

Secure all the physical evidences that you have

Take care of all the other things that may be used as evidences including the clothing and shoes that you are wearing at the time of the accident. Let the stains remain and do not remove them from these evidences. Place them on a plastic bag and secure it with tape. Try to secure copy of the accident report from the owner or the manager of the premises. Save some samples of the objects that caused you to slip and try to preserve them too.

After doing these steps, seek immediate medical attention and have a copy of your medical reports. Anyway, it is better if you would undergo a medical check up even though you did not feel any aches. Some kinds of injuries are not eventually felt by a person and require clinical examinations to be detected. It is also important to appoint a legal advocate who has the expertise in handling these certain types of cases. He or she will guide you accordingly regarding the proper actions that you should pursue to uphold your rights under the law.