How to Legally Protect Yourself After a Slip/Trip-and-Fall Accident

The National Floor Safety Institute reports that more than one million people in the United States need medical attention after slip/trip-and-fall accidents – over 2,000 people every day. This accounts for approximately 12% of all fall-related visits to emergency care facilities each year.

What happens when you suffer a slip-and-fall accident and become injured in Lake Charles? The Personal Injury Lawyers at Delphin Law Offices offer some specific advice on how to legally protect yourself.

What to Do After a LA Slip/Trip-and-Fall Accident

Slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accidents can occur at any time, in any place, in any type of weather or environment, and to anyone of any age. If you suffer a slip-and-fall accident, follow these recommendations.

Seek Medical Attention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 20% of all slip-and-fall accidents result in severe injuries. Determining the extent and severity of your injuries immediately after a fall is often difficult. Some injuries can be apparent, but some may take time to reveal themselves. Seeking medical attention immediately is wise for a number of reasons:

• A professional medical evaluation is necessary to determine the extent and severity of your injuries.
• Your legal rights are protected with documented evidence of your injuries and the required treatment.
• Your options for insurance payouts and personal injury lawsuits remain open with carefully documented medical diagnoses and treatments.

Always insist on immediate medical treatment after a slip and fall. Wait for emergency medical services to arrive and follow their recommendations for transport and treatment.

Report Your Slip/Trip-and-Fall Accident

Slip-and-fall injuries can be the responsibility of the homeowner, property owner, or manager, so you should always report your injuries to management or the property owner. This could be in a private home, yard, commercial business, or parking lot. Make an official report and seek medical attention before leaving the property to create an accurate record of the incident.

• Write down what happened, the time of day, the location, the weather, and the circumstances surrounding your fall.
• Take pictures of the scene with your smartphone.
• Photograph yourself, including your clothing and shoes (to disprove allegations of improper footwear, etc.)
• Record statements by any witnesses (capture them on video with your smartphone).
• Obtain a copy of any reports created by law enforcement, emergency medical responders, and the property owner.

A Lake Charles Personal Injury Lawyer will need this information to determine who is responsible for the accident and help you pursue compensation.

Keep An Accident Journal

Many slip-and-fall accidents cause serious injuries resulting in substantial pain, suffering, and incapacitation. Keep a daily journal to record details about your injuries and continuing circumstances. You should include:

• Pain levels
• Medications prescribed, purchased, and taken (keep all receipts)
• Doctor visits
• Therapies
• Help required with daily activities
• Observations about your emotional and psychological status
• Accident-related expenses
• Time off work and missed wages

This evidence of how the accident and your injuries impacted your daily life and your financial situation can be critical to your personal injury lawsuit.

Contact The Delphin Law Offices in Lake Charles, LA

If you have suffered a slip/trip-and-fall accident on someone else’s property, taking certain steps to protect your legal rights is important. One of the first things you should do is contact a Personal Injury Attorney at The Delphin Law Offices in Lake Charles. You may have to pay a considerable amount of money for medical bills, lost wages due to the inability to return to work, pain and suffering, and other accident-related expenses.

We can assist you in understanding your legal rights, ensuring that you follow specific protocols to protect them, and helping you understand how you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries and losses.