If you were left seriously hurt after tripping, slipping, or falling on someone’s property, you may be wondering whether you have a personal injury claim worth pursuing and, if so, what obstacles or roadblocks to recovery you may encounter.

While every case is different, and it is sometimes difficult to know what issues will arise during litigation, there are a few things you can do at the outset to ensure your slip and fall case starts off on the right foot. In this article, we take a closer look at what those things are and what you can do to avoid unnecessary issues during the claim process.

1. You Documented the Scene

Whether you fell because of a defective hand railing, slipped on a wet floor, or tripped over a loose cable, it is important to document the hazard that caused your injuries. In most cases, this means grabbing your smartphone and capturing a few pictures of the dangerous condition that caused you to fall. As the property owner and/or his insurance company may take steps to repair, change, or clean up the hazard, photographs will help preserve crucial evidence in your case.

Additionally, it may help to take pictures of your injuries as these images could help tie your injuries to the condition that caused you to fall.  If anyone else saw the accident happen, you should also write down their names and contact information to share with your attorney. If there is a possibility that any surveillance cameras captured video of your injury, you should take whatever steps you can to obtain that video or, at a minimum, request in writing that it be preserved.

2. You Visited the Doctor Immediately

In the event that your injury did not necessitate a trip to the emergency department, you should probably schedule a doctors visit soon after your fall if there is a possibility you were injured. Keep in mind that not all injuries are readily apparent after you are hurt, and some may take days or weeks to manifest. Medical documentation will be necessary in the event you decide to pursue a personal injury case. If you delay seeing a doctor, the defense attorney or insurance company defending your claim may argue that your injuries are not serious or are unrelated to your fall. Additionally, prompt medical care will help ensure that you receive necessary medical attention and that your injuries do not worsen unnecessarily.    Your medical records and testimony from your physicians will become important evidence in your case.

3. You Stayed Away from Social Media

It is often wise to resist the temptation to voice your thoughts about a slip, trip, or fall incident on social media. Your comments, pictures, and posts may be taken out of context, used against you in litigation, or undermine your credibility. If you are considering a personal injury claim, you should be vigilant about accepting new friend requests, increase your privacy settings to the highest level, and avoid sharing any information which could be used in a lawsuit.

Speak to a Slip and Fall Attorney in Miami Today

If you were injured on someone else’s property, you may benefit from discussing your case with a Florida slip and fall attorney. At Viñas & DeLuca, PLLC, we can meet with you as part of a free consultation to discuss your case.

Our primary goal is to help you recover compensation for the damages you suffered at the hands of a negligent property owner. We will also take steps to help minimize stress for you and your family during this challenging chapter of your lives. Dial (305) 372-3650 or jump to our contact form HERE to request a free consultation today.