Some folks think that if they slip and fall at the store, the store will step up to the plate and help with medical expenses and other losses. That’s not true. In fact, much of the time these types of claims are denied.
If you slip or trip and fall at a grocery store, you should talk to an Arkansas premises liability attorney as soon as possible. In this article, we will offer some additional thoughts to keep in mind in the event you’re involved in this type of accident.
Assess Your Injuries
With some injuries, you may cause additional damage if you try to move or get up. If you think that might be the case, ask someone nearby to call an ambulance. That way you have assistance from trained, medical personnel. Even if you don’t require paramedics, you should go to the emergency room for a medical evaluation as soon as you can, and tell medical providers what happened. Some types of injuries aren’t immediately apparent, but that doesn’t mean you haven’t been injured.
Notify the Store
Before you leave the area where you fell, contact an employee and report the accident. Make sure you get the employee’s name and job title. Snap a quick photo of the employee on your cell phone. It is likely that the employee will ask you to fill out an incident report, or he or she may fill it out for you. In any event, make sure that you get a copy of the incident report.
Collect Evidence
If possible, take several photographs of the scene, including what caused you to fall. Your cell phone will be fine for these pictures. If need be, ask another person to take the photos and text them to you. Have the person write down his or her name and contact information for you. Also, you will want to get the names and contact information of all possible eyewitnesses.
Request Security Camera Footage
You might not think about it as you shop, but you are under constant surveillance from multiple security cameras while you’re in or around the store. It is likely that your fall was caught on at least one camera. You should request all security camera footage as soon as possible. If the store won’t provide it, ask them to preserve the footage.
Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer
When you’ve been injured, hours and even minutes matter. Evidence could “disappear” in very little time. If you slipped on a spill, employees will probably mop the area quickly. If you tripped on a flooring defect, employees might quickly remedy the tripping hazard that caused you to fall. That’s why it’s important to follow the steps above. You will also want to talk to a personal injury lawyer right away so he or she can examine the facts surrounding your fall. You don’t have to go through the claims process by yourself, and it is frankly unwise to do so. An Arkansas personal injury attorney can help you get the best result possible. For help with your case, contact our office today. We offer free consultations.
