I was injured in a fall. What can an attorney do for me?

Whether you are injured on an icy sidewalk, slip in a grocery store aisle, trip on a damaged step, or simply slip on a wet patio, slips and falls can cause major injuries which lead to long, painful recoveries. From broken bones to torn ligaments, slip and fall injuries, and their subsequent recoveries, can be complicated. Many require surgery, and complications - such as blood clots - can develop.

What can your attorney do for you in the case of a slip and fall injury? In addition to seeking reimbursement for medical bills, attorneys may also seek compensation for lost wages, and for pain and suffering.

As is always the case with an injury, it is important to document the accident as soon as possible. Take photos or video of the area where the fall occurred. Seek medical attention right away; having the medical record will be important to your case, so be clear with medical providers about how the injury occurred. Not seeking medical attention right away could hurt your case.

A business has procedures to follow when an accident happens on the property. Follow the procedure of the business, which can include completing an incident report. If an employee of the business makes a remark about the area being unsafe, or comments about other customers having similar issues before, make a mental note of that statement and record the name of the person making that statement.

If there are witnesses to the incident, obtain their contact information immediately, as it may not be as easy to locate them after time has passed.

In order to determine whether your injury was caused by negligence on the property owner's part, your lawyer will help you evaluate the condition that caused the fall. Did a dangerous condition exist on the property? Did the property owner know of the condition and have sufficient time to fix it? You and your attorney will discuss these issues.

Even if you're unsure if you have a case, contact us today to explore your options.