It’s not just seniors that can have slip and fall accidents. Anyone of any age can experience a slip and fall that results in an injury.
So, you should remember what to do should it happen to you.
Here are six things you don’t want to forget.
1. Don’t Force Movement
Whether you slip on a wet floor or a banana skin, the fall can cause a variety of injuries. So, the first step is to ensure you don’t worsen any injuries you may have.
Also, bear in mind that you will probably be in shock after an accident, so it’s important that you try to focus on remembering what to do.
First and foremost, don’t force any movement.
If you feel like you can’t move your leg in a certain way, for example, don’t move it and don’t try to get up. Instead, wait for medical assistance. If you do try to move, you could make your injuries worse.
If you feel fine getting up, then do so. But get up in the right way, as you could have injuries you’re unaware of.
Move onto your side and then onto your knees. Next, slowly get up and sit in a chair.
Hopefully, someone will be around to help you.
If you’re unable to get up or you have an injury, call 911 or ask someone nearby to call for you.
2. Get Medical Treatment
Regardless of how serious your injury is, you should always get medical attention after a slip and fall accident.
If you don’t receive medical care at the scene of the accident, perhaps because you believe you only have a minor injury and can walk okay, make sure you see a doctor immediately.
You could have an internal injury or you could have an injury that will worsen over time. So, it’s crucial that you seek medical advice and get the relevant treatment.
Also, if you’re injured due to somebody’s negligence, you will need your injuries recorded in your medical records when you decide to seek compensation.
3. Consult a Local Personal Injury Lawyer
Negligence can include a number of things. You could slip on a wet floor that wasn’t signposted inside a store or you could slip on a loose stair carpet inside an apartment block, for example.
If your slip and fall accident is caused by a person or an organization’s negligence, you’re entitled to pursue compensation to cover the cost of things like medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.
Therefore, after you have received medical attention for your injuries, get in touch with a personal injury lawyer in your local area. For instance, the experienced lawyers at www.lawfran.com can help you if you’re located in Florida.
4. Determine What Caused the Slip and Fall
Going back to the scene of the accident, if the accident wasn’t your fault and you, therefore, have the opportunity to file a lawsuit, it’s important that you remember to do certain things at the time of the accident.
Most importantly, you should try to determine what caused you to slip and fall.
For instance, if you see you fell on a wet floor and there’s no sign to indicate the wet floor, you will be in a good position to prove negligence.
5. Report the Accident
You also need to remember to report the accident.
Whether you’re visiting a friend in an apartment building or shopping in a vape store, after you slip and fall on the premises, report it to the relevant person, such as an apartment building’s owner or a store’s manager.
Make sure the incident is detailed in writing so that you have proof of the accident occurring.
6. Document the Accident Scene and Gather Information
Lastly, the more evidence you can gather at the scene of the accident, the better positioned you will be to prove the accident was due to another’s negligence and, with the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer, obtain the compensation that you deserve.
Get the names and contact details of witnesses. Take photographs of the accident scene; or ask someone to take the photos for you. And jot down details that could be important, such as the exact time of the accident and any other relevant details.
