Individuals who sustain slip and fall injuries on another person’s property may be able to recover compensation for their losses. These claims can be challenging because they are actually civil personal injury lawsuits, and it is crucial to follow various steps to ensure your well-being and to help recover any compensation you may be entitled to.
1. Seek Medical Care
Right after a slip and fall accident occurs, it is important for a victim to assess themselves for any injuries. The health and well-being of a slip and fall accident victim is of the utmost importance, and these individuals must seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Any delay in seeking medical care could work against a slip and fall accident victim when it comes to an insurance settlement. It is better to go right to a doctor or emergency room so that there is a strong link between the incident and any injuries that occur.
2. Report the Injury
Slip and fall accident injuries should be reported to a property owner or employee as soon as possible. Businesses and government entities will typically have accident reporting processes in place, and this will usually generate an accident report that can be gathered at a later date. Failing to report the injury could lead to the property owner or operator saying that they were unaware that an injury even occurred, and they could dispute that it actually happened.
3. Gather Evidence
Depending on the severity of the injury, it may be possible for the injury victim or another person present at the scene to gather evidence. This can include using a cell phone to take pictures of the cause of the slip and fall accident, the surrounding area, and any injuries. Additionally, slip and fall accident victims should not discard or wash any clothing they were wearing when the slip and fall incident occurred, particularly if the incident was caused by falling as a result of a substance on the floor that may have rubbed off on the shoes or clothes.
4. Call an Attorney
Slip and fall accident victims should reach out to a skilled personal injury lawyer who can step in and take over every aspect of the claim. This will include investigating the incident, gathering additional evidence, and handling any negotiations with other parties involved.
5. Continue Medical Treatment
Slip and fall accident victims often make the mistake of discontinuing medical treatment when they begin to feel better, even if the doctor recommends additional treatment. We strongly recommend that every slip and fall accident victim continue all medical treatment prescribed by their doctor until they have reached maximum medical improvement. Discontinuing care too early could result in a claim being delayed or a lower settlement offer.
6. File the Claim on Time
Individuals need to be aware that there is a two-year personal injury statute of limitations in Georgia. This means that a slip and fall accident victim will need to file their claim against the alleged negligent property owner within two years, or they will not be able to recover compensation for their losses.
Additionally, if there are any insurance carriers involved in the case, they will have their own reporting deadlines that the victim needs to be aware of.