Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran

Published on: February 8, 2024

After a slip and fall accident, the steps you take can impact your ability to receive compensation for your injuries. Completing a slip and fall accident report is one of the most important steps in filing a legal claim against the liable party, providing a record of the incident, and helping establish fault.

Knowing what to do after a slip and fall and how to fill out a report accurately can boost your chances of receiving a fair settlement. Our knowledgeable premises liability attorneys at Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. can help you through the slip and fall claims process and help get you the compensation you deserve.

What to Do After the Accident

After a slip-and-fall accident, the actions you take can safeguard your rights. Here’s what to do immediately after your fall:

Get Medical Care

More than one million people visit the emergency room each year after slipping and falling, highlighting how serious these accidents can be. Even if your injuries are minor, get checked by a medical professional as soon as possible.

Injuries like traumatic brain injuries or internal bleeding may not manifest symptoms immediately. A timely medical examination can help identify hidden issues and document your injuries for future claims. It can also help you get the treatment you need to prevent the worsening of injuries and help with your recovery.

Document the Accident Scene

Once you’ve received medical attention, gather evidence from the accident scene. This documentation can strengthen your slip and fall claim. Document the following:

• Take photographs. Use your smartphone or camera to capture images of the accident scene. Photograph any hazards, such as wet floors, icy sidewalks, broken stairs, or other conditions contributing to your fall. Ensure that the photos show the area from different angles.
• Note weather conditions. Document the weather conditions at the time of the accident, as they may have played a role in your fall. For instance, if it was rainy, snowy, or icy when you fell, take a picture of the conditions or note it in your accident report.
• Identify witnesses. If there are any witnesses to your slip and fall, get their contact information and ask if they are willing to provide a statement. Their testimony can support your case when pursuing a legal claim.
• Preserve your clothing. Place the clothes and shoes you wore during the fall in a sealed box or bag without washing them. These items can provide valuable evidence about the nature of the fall, like scuff marks or stains that indicate the slipperiness of the surface you fell on.

Make a Slip-and-Fall Accident Report

Report your slip and fall accident to the property owner or manager and police as soon as possible. You can use This official record of the accident in your claim. When reporting:

• Use official channels. Contact the property owner, manager, or security personnel through a written incident report, email, or certified letter. Keep copies of all correspondence for your records.
• Be clear and concise. Provide a detailed but concise description of the accident, including the location, date, time, and any contributing factors, such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, or insufficient lighting.
• Request a copy. Ask for a copy of the incident report and keep it with your case documents. If you reported the accident to the police, obtain a report through the public records request portal or contact your local station and follow their procedure.

Follow All Insurance and Legal Procedures

To safeguard your rights, it’s important to adhere to all insurance and legal protocols following your accident. Steps may include:

• Notifying your insurance company. If you have health insurance, inform your provider about the accident and any medical treatment you’ve received. Ensure that you follow their guidelines for submitting claims and keeping records of expenses.
• Consulting an attorney. Consult a personal injury attorney with experience handling slip and fall cases. Our qualified attorneys at Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. can help you gather evidence, negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company, and file a lawsuit if needed.
• Preserving evidence. Maintain a detailed record of all your accident-related expenses, including medical bills, therapy costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Our lawyers can use this documentation to calculate the total compensation you may be entitled to.

Tips for Reporting Your Slip and Fall

Your attorney from Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. can use your slip and fall accident report as vital evidence for your compensation claim. A thorough report helps establish what happened, who might be at fault, and what steps the property owner took to address the situation.

When filling out your slip and fall accident report, keep the following tips in mind:

• Be detailed in your description. Explain exactly what happened before, during, and after the fall, for example, “I walked into the lobby from the main entrance and slipped on the marble floor. It appeared shiny and clean, without any visible ‘Wet Floor’ signs nearby.”
• Include specific conditions. Detail conditions that contributed to the fall, such as “The floor was wet from being mopped, and there were no caution signs visible.”
• Note the exact location. Describe the location precisely, for instance, “The fall occurred near the produce section.”
• Report promptly. File the report as soon as possible after the fall. This ensures you can accurately remember the circumstances of the accident, and the conditions leading to the fall can be verified.
• Avoid assigning blame. When describing the incident, focus on the facts and avoid speculations about who is at fault. For instance, write “I fell because the floor was wet” instead of accusing the staff of negligence.
  Be polite and cooperative. Be polite and cooperative when interacting with insurance representatives or property owners. Maintaining a polite demeanor can work in your favor during the claims process, showing that you followed the company’s reporting procedures.
• Document conversations. When communicating with insurance adjusters or others involved, keep detailed records of these conversations, including the date, time, names of individuals you spoke with, and a summary of the discussion.
• Consult an attorney first. While you may have to fill out the report before talking to an attorney, consult with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. Our attorneys at Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. can advise you on what to say and how to protect your rights in further communications.
  We can also assist you with reporting the accident or obtaining reports you filed with the property owner or police. Our legal team, including registered nurse and partner attorney Eileen Kroll, can carefully review these reports and your medical records to connect your injuries to the fall, strengthening your case.

Find Legal Assistance Today

Reporting a slip and fall accident is critical in securing compensation for your injuries and damages. At Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., we specialize in helping victims of slip and fall accidents obtain the compensation they deserve.

Our experienced attorneys are here to guide you through the claims process, including filling out your slip and fall accident report, negotiating with insurance companies, and representing your interests in court if necessary. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you recover from your slip and fall incident.

Our contingency fee basis means we only get paid if we win your case, so there is no financial risk to you to get started. Call our law firm today at 1-866-MICHLAW  and schedule your no-obligation, free case evaluation.

Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.