Each year, millions of individuals are injured in slip and fall incidents. Many occur at grocery stores, department stores, and other big-box retailers.  Like any injury, injuries from slip and fall incidents can lead to permanent and debilitating conditions which affect a person’s ability to work, perform physical activities, and engage in normal activities of daily living.

While some slips, trips, and falls are not the result of negligence, many are caused by negligent property owners who fail to maintain their properties in a reasonably safe condition.  If you were injured while at a grocery store, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, lost wages, medical bills, and other losses. Establishing these claims, however, is not easy.  While there are a number of things you can do to help establish your claim, hiring a seasoned personal injury attorney is perhaps one of the most important steps you can take.

Here are a few other things you can do after a slip and fall to help ensure your claim is successfully resolved:

1. Seek Medical Treatment

You should seek medical attention if you are injured in any way. Keep in mind, some injuries may get better or worse as time progresses. Others will not manifest until hours or days after your fall. If there is any question as to whether you were hurt, you should seek medical attention immediatly.  If you wait days or weeks to do so, insurance companies and defense attorneys may argue that your injuries were not in fact sustained during your slip and fall. Medical documentation of your injuries is critical to establishing your claim.

2. Compile Evidence from the Scene

There are many kinds of proof you can gather at the accident scene. For instance, most grocery stores are outfitted with surveillance cameras and other anti-theft recording devices. As such, it is likely that the moment you slipped, tripped, or fell was captured on video. You should request a copy of such recordings right away, preferably in writing, as these videos are routinely overwritten after a certain length of time.

You should also request that an incident report be completed, request a copy of that report, gather the names and contact information of any potential witnesses, and take photographs of anything which might be pertinent to any aspect of your claim.  If you are unable to do one or more of these things due to your injuries, request that a friend or family member do them.

3. Track Your Damages Carefully

The vast majority of damages you suffer as a result of your fall can be included, and therefore recovered, in a personal injury lawsuit. This can include expenses related to medical care, lost wages, the purchase of any medical equipment, and hiring individuals to perform household chores or duties.  To the extent you incurred any of these damages, it is imperative that you maintain copies of your invoices and evidence of payment in support of your claim. Be sure to keep track of all expenses, as they will add up over the course of months or years.

4. Log Daily Entries in a Journal

Personal injury victims have a right to seek compensation for non-economic damages such as mental anguish, pain and suffering, and loss of the enjoyment of life. As there are no invoices for these intangible damages, you will need to rely on other types of proof to demonstrate the value of your claim and the challenges you have faced since the accident.  Keeping a journal for your attorney to review is a great way to keep track of how your injuries have impacted your daily life.  Speak with an attorney about the best way to do this.

Speak to a Slip and Fall Attorney in Miami Today

At Viñas & DeLuca, PLLC, we can meet with you to discuss your situation and help you determine whether you have grounds to file a personal injury claim. If you choose to hire us, we will do our best to answer any questions you have and provide guidance throughout the claim process. Dial (305) 372-3650 or jump to our contact page HERE to schedule a meeting with one of our Florida slip and fall attorneys.