October 25, 2020
Illinois Workers Comp and Covid-19
ILLINOIS WORK COMP UPDATE CONCERNING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) Effective April 13, 202 …
Slip and falls can be as embarrassing as they may be damaging, disorienting and injurious. While it can be difficult to know what to do after experiencing a slip and fall, especially if head injuries have been sustained, taking the following simple steps after these accidents can be essential to helping victims protect their rights and potential entitlements to compensation.
Following a Slip and Fall Accident…
1 – See a doctor ASAP.
Regardless of whether you feel hurt after slipping and falling, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. This is because you may not realize that you are injured due to being in shock or to the fact that some injuries won’t immediately present symptoms.
While seeing a physician right away can help you get the treatments you need ASAP, preventing you from experiencing further health complications, it can also be pivotal to having an official record of the injuries caused by the accident (as they will be documented in detail in the doctor’s report).
2 – Report the accident to the appropriate authority/party.
If the slip and fall accident occurs at work, in a retail setting or in any public venue, it may be necessary to report the incident to the appropriate manager, landlord or other authority. This too will generate an official report for the incident that could provide useful evidence later, particularly if a responsible party tries to deny that the event occurred or tries to alter the facts at any point in the future.
3 – Document your version of what happened.
As soon as you can (ideally, once your health has stabilized), write down your version of what happened, including details regarding:
- Exactly where and when the event occurred – Be sure to note the specific location, date and time.
- What occurred immediately prior to the accident
- Whether you noticed anything out of place or out of the ordinary, such as possibly pooled liquids on the floors, prior to or after the accident
- What occurred immediately following the accident
- Whether emergency medical providers were called
Because your version of the events can be pivotal to establishing liability later – and because details can get cloudy as time passes, having a thorough account of your version of what occurred written down is important.
4 – Collect your own evidence.
This can include taking pictures of your injuries, of the scene of the accident, etc. It can also include retaining the clothes and shoes you wore on the day of the accident. If there were witnesses to the accident, getting their contact info, as well as a written account from them, can also be important.
5 – Contact a lawyer.
If you are only able to do one thing after being hurt in a slip and fall accident, the single most important thing to do is to contact an experienced Mount Vernon personal injury lawyer at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis to get your case started.
After a slip and fall, the bottom line is that there can be a lot to do and that you may need to focus on your physical recovery. With one of our attorneys on your side, you can be confident that your rights will be protected and that you will get on the path to financial recovery as soon as possible.
Mount Vernon Personal Injury Lawyer at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C.
Have you or a loved one been hurt in a slip and fall accident – or in any type of premises liability accident? If so, an experienced and trusted Mount Vernon personal injury lawyer at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. is ready to stand up for your rights.
To learn more about your best legal options and how we can help you, contact us by calling (888) 896-9381 or by emailing us using the form at the upper right-hand side of the page. We can provide you with a free, thorough assessment of your case, along with professional advice regarding the best manner in which to move forward.
