Representing Slip and Fall Clients all over San Diego County
Slip and fall accidents have a tendency to occur unexpectedly. An individual is walking along fine one moment and the next, the individual is injured after striking the ground. As a result of these surprising events, many individuals feel overwhelmed and uncertain how to respond after a slip and fall accidents occurs. The purpose of this article is to review some basic elements that individuals must remember to do after a slip and fall accident occurs. It should first be noted, however, that slip and fall accidents not a rare occurrence. The National Floor Safety Institute reports that slip and falls represent 1 million emergency room visits each year.
Types of Slip and Fall Cases
There are many types of slip and fall accidents that can cause individuals serious injuries. The most common slip and fall accidents that we see are liquid spills, uneven pavement, and tripping over wires or other hazardous materials. It is important that if you get injured after a slip and fall accident that you take the correct precautions in order to protect yourself. Whether you’re embarrassed or in shock after the accident, it is important to notify the location manager to make them aware of the incident. Having documentation of the slip and fall accident can protect you if injuries appear after you have left the scene. Often time’s adrenaline will kick in when you’re in an accident, which makes assessing your injuries on the scene much more difficult.
Experience in Handling Slip and Fall Cases is Key
When you come in for your free consultation a San Diego personal injury attorney will personally help you with your case. It is important to remember as many details as possible from the slip and fall accident. Having the specific information such as location, time, circumstances of what led to the fall, and any other relevant information will help our team of experienced attorneys assess your case. We also ask that if you have received medical treatment or bills from the injury that you bring those with you to the meeting. Our legal team will discus all the important details of your case and inform you on what steps should be taken next. If our team of experienced attorneys feels as though your slip and fall accident is suitable for a lawsuit, they can discus with you how to hire our amazing team of attorneys. Once hired our team will begin working on your case on a contingency basis. Simply put, this means that we do not get paid until we have won your lawsuit. We will also discus what your expectations are on your lawsuit to ensure they’re realistic and also to provide the best results on your case.
10 Things Individuals Must Do After A Slip And Fall Accident In San Diego
- Create A Personal Record
When slip and fall accidents, it can help if an individual records a personal statement about how the slip and fall occurred. The more detailed that this report can be, the better.
- File A Police Report
After a slip and fall accident, individuals must make sure to file a report with the police to create documentation that the accident occurred.
- Keep Records For Your Slip and Fall Attorneys
Individuals must make sure to keep information including medical bills, police reports, receipts for medications, and any other types of documentation regarding the accident. This documentation often comes in handy when a party attempts to demonstrate how much damage was caused by the slip and fall. The National Law Review recently published an article reminding individuals that even when individuals are partially responsible in slip and fall accidents, individuals can still sometimes obtain compensation for injuries.
- Limit Negative Emotions
After a slip and fall accident occurs, individuals must make sure to avoid lashing out at parties who might have caused the accident. While the temptation is strong, individuals must limit communications to avoid saying anything which might later prove detrimental if the case proceeds to an insurance company or court of law.
- Never Sign Anything
Individuals should avoid signing any document without the presence of a lawyer. Many times individuals inadvertently sign away certain rights without being aware, which substantially weaken the strength of a slip and fall case.
- Pursue Medical Attention Immediately
Individuals who are involved in a slip and fall accident must make sure to contact medical assistance immediately. Not only is it important that an individual be examined, medical professionals will also document any of an individual’s injuries which can later be used in the event of litigation or against an insurance company.
- Record The Contact Information of Any Potential Witnesses
After a slip and fall accident, individuals must make sure to write down the name and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident. Witness testimony can prove particularly advantageous in the event that a situation proceeds to court.
- Save The Clothing That Was Worn During The Accident
Individuals must make sure to save the clothing and shoes that were worn at the time of the accident because these materials can later be used as evidence in demonstrating how a slip and fall accident occurred.
- Take Photographs
If at all possible, individuals should takes photographs of the location where the slip and fall occurred. Photographic documentation can prove invaluable in demonstrating how an accident occurred.
- Review All Available Options With An Experienced San Diego Personal Injury Lawyer
Individuals who are involved in a slip and fall accident should contact an attorney to discuss all potential options and the various steps that would be required for each choice.
Wet Floor Accident Injury Attorneys
Property owners should be able to provide their guests, customers and staff with a safe environment. Even sign boards like “Wet Floor” and “Under Repair” which would caution others to be careful or to avoid going to a particular area within the premises are extremely helpful in preventing accidents. Here at our law firm, our trip and fall lawyers have handled many cases involving injuries that could have easily been prevented had building owners or their staff performed simple preventive measures. Ozols Law Firm can make a difference on your case.
Can Wet Floor Accidents Be Prevented?
The short and simple answer is YES. Oftentimes wet and slippery floors are the result of leaks, moisture, lack of floor drains, faulty plumbing and HVAC systems, or routine cleaning. It’s the responsibility of the owner (or management) of the property to be aware of these issues and to take measures to reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents.
Property owners can reduce the risk of injuries by implementing the following:
- Placing signs on wet floors so people will be extra careful when walking over them.
- Putting carpets, mats or rugs in high traffic areas to absorb any moisture or water from the outside during rain or snow.
- Installing non-slip flooring materials in lieu of slippery tiles.
- Installing floor drains in areas that tend to accumulate water.
- Fixing leaks promptly to avoid flooding the floors and staircases.
- Cleaning any spills right away.
Here at Ozols Law Firm, our premises liability lawyers appreciate the importance of preventative measures to ensure the safety of guests, customers, visitors, and employees. Injuries that result from carelessness, negligence or inaction from the building owners or their staff should not be dismissed by the victims. They need to be aware of their legal rights and get a lawyer who can help make the erring party accountable.
Wet Floor Accidents and Injuries
A lot of slip and fall accidents take place in public locations such as malls, hotels and department stores. While most cases only result in minor injuries, there are also instances where the injury is very severe, leading to internal bleeding, broken bones, spinal injuries and head and neck trauma. These serious injuries will require extensive and costly medical treatment, and some patients may never be able to recover fully.
If you’re a victim of a slip and fall injury due to a wet floor in someone else’s property, we urge you to seek compensation. The cost of medical treatment, in addition to your lost income and suffering should be covered by the owner of the property where the accident occurred. It is your legal right to recover damages and our personal injury lawyers can help you.
Our law firm’s legal team has recovered compensation for numerous clients in the state of California. The damages they received have helped pay their medical bills and enable them to live life as comfortably as possible. If you have been injured in a wet floor accident, please fill out our online form so one of our premises liability attorneys can personally review your case, free of charge.
Our aim is to help each client maximize the value of their case so that their current and future needs are met. We will fight for your legal rights and interest, and won’t take any attorney’s fees until after we secure compensation on your behalf.
How A San Diego Slip and Fall Lawyer Can Help
If you or a loved one have been involved in a slip and fall accident in San Diego and require the services of a skilled personal injury lawyer, do not hesitate. One thing to keep in mind is that just because you have filed a lawsuit in a slip and fall accident, it does not always mean you will win. However, having a team of professional and experienced attorneys fighting on your behalf will better your chances throughout your lawsuit. To start your free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney proficient in slip and fall accidents, call Personal Injury Lawyers San Diego today. Also, don’t forget that if hired, our team of aggressive attorneys will fight on your behalf on a contingency basis until we have won your case.