The term “slip and fall” sounds fairly innocuous, but slip and fall accidents are common occurrences that often end with serious repercussions. Slip and fall accidents send more than 1 million people to the emergency room every year, and in Florida alone, 4,207 people died in slip and fall accidents in 2022. Slip and falls are especially dangerous for the elderly, who have slower reflexes and recuperation times. Common injuries from slip and falls include:
- Fractures
- Head injuries ranging from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Cuts and abrasions
- Dislocated joints
- Soft tissue injuries such as tears, sprains, and strains in tendons or ligaments
- Spinal cord injuries with potentially catastrophic results like partial or complete paralysis
Medical bills can quickly pile up, and unlike car accidents where there is Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage to help cover your bills, PIP does not apply in slip and fall cases, which is why hiring an attorney to help ensure an optimal outcome with your personal injury claim is so critical. Here are some mistakes to avoid after a slip and fall accident in order to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
What Not To Do After A Slip and Fall Accident
- Not reporting the accident: After a slip and fall, you need to report the accident immediately to the relevant authority (i.e the property owner or manager). This ensures that there is an official record of the incident occurring and provides accurate documentation of the details.
- Failing to gather evidence: Slip and fall claims are based on evidence. If you are physically able, take photos and videos of the location where the accident happened, making sure to capture any conditions that could’ve caused your fall, such as uneven surfaces, wet floors, poor lighting, or a lack of warning. If there were witnesses at the scene, get their names and contact information, as they could potentially provide valuable accounts supporting your claim. In Florida, the burden of proof falls on the plaintiff to prove that the dangerous condition caused your fall and that the property owner or business knew or should have known of this condition and failed to take reasonable steps to address it.
- Neglecting to seek immediate medical attention: Just like with a car accident, you should always get checked out by a licensed medical provider after a slip and fall. Even if your injuries seem minor, they may worsen over time and result in health problems down the line. Having a medical record of your injuries that links them directly to the accident helps prove that your injuries resulted from the fall.
- Dealing with insurers yourself: Insurance representatives are only looking out for their bottom line, and can often rope you into settling for a lowball amount. Consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney before talking with an insurer helps to ensure that you don’t accidentally say anything that undermines your claim or settle for an amount lower than what you’re entitled to.
Contact Us Today
Protect your health and legal rights after a slip and fall accident by avoiding these common mistakes. If you or somebody close to you was recently involved in a slip and fall accident, call Rosenblum & Mayer to consult with an experienced Florida personal injury attorney today.