What Are The Immediate Steps People Should Take In Slip And Fall Accidents?

Video Transcript

What Are The Immediate Steps A Person Should Take If They Have Been Hurt In A Slip-And-Fall Accident?

The most important step is to take a picture or a photograph, whether with a cellphone or a camera, of the condition which gave rise to the slip-and-fall accident. This is because:

1. A picture will obviously speak a thousand words
2. These conditions are usually cleaned up after the accident

Once somebody finds there has been an accident, they take steps to clean the condition quickly and timely — what they should have done before the accident. Once they have cleaned it, there won’t be any evidence other than the victim’s own word or testimony.

Juries have a responsibility to weigh everybody’s testimony. Without objective proof of the condition on the premises, the jury is going on the person’s word. This is sometimes difficult to prove if the victim is not articulate, likable or doesn’t come over well.

The person needs to report the accident immediately to somebody at the location responsible for maintaining and operating that area. If that person, company or entity is not available, the person needs to call the police. A report should be made but is it not fatal or required to make a claim or case.

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