The rules of falling down – the slip and fall accident

A slip and fall accident is not something that occurs in slow motion. You don’t think ahead of time about losing balance, or spot something on the floor and say, “I’m going to slip and injure myself on that.” A slip and fall accident is as sudden and unexpected as it is potentially devastating, in one swoop taking away peace of mind and causing personal injury that could take years to correct.
A slip accident involves stumbling, over extension, a twist or other movement that causes injury, and the conditions under which these occur can vary: Spilled liquid or food, cracked sidewalks, objects or debris left in a retail store aisle or on steps.
In all such cases, a personal injury litigation attorney will handle the particulars of getting what is owed to you for your pain, injuries and suffering. But before that happens, one critical area must be addressed, and that is, showing there is a case. And that means proving the business owner was negligent. Did they know of the situation and fail to correct it?
If you are the unfortunate victim of a slip-and-fall accident in Fort Lauderdale, here is what you should know:
1. Document, document, document
It can be difficult, after the initial shock of the accident, to think of anything but the pain. To prove a case, victims need to assess all the conditions present that caused the injury. Every little detail will help, specifically:
• What caused the fall?
• What were the conditions surrounding the fall?
• Was there a warning sign? Say the floor was wet – was a sign posted alerting people to the potential danger?
2. Take photos
After assessing your own well-being, and with cell phones as important a possession as a wallet and car keys, the cell phone photo should be the first thing that comes to mind. Take a photo quickly of the conditions present that caused the fall, before anyone has a chance to remove these conditions.
3. See a doctor. Immediately.
No matter how uneventful or how minor the injury, see a doctor to get it checked out. Injuries have a way of seeming non-threatening at the outset, and becoming more painful and more debilitating as time goes on. You’ll need to provide as much medical detail to the doctor as possible – this, after all, will become a part of your evidence.
4. Contact a personal injury litigation attorney.
Your injury could have lifelong consequences. Make sure you contact a Fort Lauderdale personal injury litigation attorney to help you wade through the legal and court necessities. If you’re out for justice after a slip-and-fall accident, this is the best way to stand up straight again.