After most slip-and-fall accidents, the victim is able to dust themselves off and get up feeling little more than embarrassment and a few aches and pains. However, some slip-and-fall accidents result in serious injuries that require immediate medical attention. If you’ve been hurt in a slip-and-fall accident, it’s important to protect your rights and have the person or company responsible for your injury held accountable.
Here are a few steps you should take following a New York slip-and-fall accident:
- Check for injuries. Do not immediately get up and move. Take a moment to assess your body. You don’t want to risk suffering further harm by moving when you are hurt.
- Report the fall. If you fell in a place of business, an apartment building or a private property, ask the business manager to make a report of the accident and obtain a copy before you leave.
- Keep calm. Instead of getting angry at the situation, try to remain relaxed and focus on what needs to happen.
- Take photos. A big part of the claim process is proving that your injuries resulted from a hazardous condition. Document the exact location where you fell, including photos of the condition that contributed to the accident. Take photos of the specific spot where you fell as well as wide shots showing any lack of warning signs.
- Gather information. You’ll need names, phone numbers and addresses of anyone who witnessed the accident. You should also gather the name of the person or people you reported the accident to the day of the fall.
- Seek medical attention. Your medical records are legal documents that prove when you were hurt and the severity of the injuries you have suffered.
The last thing you should do is seek out a slip-and-fall attorney. Your chances of receiving fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages and suffering will increase dramatically if you have a skilled New York City personal injury attorney to guide you through the claim process. Contact Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP at (212) 986-7353 to discuss your case today.