Slip and fall accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere, and anytime; knowing what steps to take after your fall is crucial.
Slips, trips, and falls are some of the biggest causes of injury in the United States. Examples include a shopper at the local grocery store and slipping on a wet floor, a child falling from damaged playground equipment, or an employee tripping on the uneven sidewalk outside their office building.
The injuries caused by these incidents can be anywhere from minimal to catastrophic, including spinal cord or brain injury or even death.
Continue reading to learn more about slip, trip, and fall accidents below.
Slip and Fall Accidents Cause Injury for All Ages
Slip, trip, and fall incidents are a significant public health concern. According to the CDC, 25% of adults aged 65 and older will fall in the United States. Nearly 36 million falls are reported annually among older adults, resulting in over 32,000 deaths.
However, slip, and falls do not only affect those older in age. Slip and fall accidents are the number one cause for non-fatal injuries to occur in almost every age group (minus those aged 10-24, where it is second).
4 Steps to Take After Slip and Fall Accidents
The steps you take after a slip and fall accident are crucial. Here’s what we recommend:
- Take Care of Yourself — What you do in the moments right after your fall could be incredibly important. Your number one priority needs to be your health and overall wellbeing. If you do need medical care, you’ll need to determine whether you need emergency services or if you can make your way to urgent care facilities on your own.
Remember that injuries from these types of accidents may not appear serious or concerning at first, but they can suddenly worsen with time. Promptly seeking medical treatment is the safest, best plan. Insurance companies could refuse to pay and suggest your situation was not “serious” if you delay medical care.
- Inform Whoever Needs to Know — As soon as your situation allows, report your accident to the property or business owner or a senior management person. If the accident occurs on public property, report the accident to the proper governmental agency. Neglecting to do this promptly does not always mean that you’re out of luck; however, insurance companies or juries may negatively interpret a delay in reporting the incident.
- Gather Necessary Information and Evidence — It’s understandable to want to make a swift exit after a fall; however, if you do not need emergent care, taking some time to gather important information and evidence is wise. Take a moment to take photos of where you fell and what caused you to tumble. Gather evidence of anything you feel might have contributed to your accident. Talk to witnesses and gather a brief statement and their contact information.
- Contact a Knowledgeable and Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer — Before moving forward, seek the advice and representation of a trusted and experienced personal injury lawyer. This process can be overwhelming, confusing, and stressful. But finding a trusted lawyer to be on your side will make things easier and help guide you to a fair settlement.
Contact Flickinger • Boulton • Robson • Weeks for Your Slip and Fall Accidents
For effective legal help concerning slip and fall accidents, contact the office of Flickinger • Boulton • Robson • Weeks. For over 25 years, our legal team has been representing injured victims throughout Utah, with offices in South Jordan and Provo, and we are here to help you decide the best course of action. Contact us to request your free case evaluation today.