How To File Slip And Fall Claim

It happens a lot that it’s freezing cold outside, the pavement is wet and now froze and you get out of your car to walk into a building and the next thing you know, you are laying on your back hurting so bad. People rush to your side to see if you need help and you do.

What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident

It is important that you follow the appropriate steps to ensure that you get the compensation you need and deserve. Without the proper steps, you may not win the suit, especially if you don’t have adequate witnesses. After an accident occurs, you should do the following:

Step 1: Get medical attention as soon as you fall – don’t hesitate or assume that you are okay. Even if you don’t feel pain now, you may later

Step 2: Keep all documentation of the injuries you received due to your fall and include a copy of your medical records in a file

Step 3: Report the accident to the authorities and the company or individual responsible for the sidewalk where the accident took place.

Step 4: Gather up the contact information for any witnesses of the fall

Step 5: Take photos of the scene where you fell or get someone who is with you to do so. Take pictures of your injuries as well. Document the conditions of the area at the time of the accident.

Step 6: Contact an Injury Lawyer in Orillia who will give you guidance on how to file a claim.

Determining Liability for Your Slip and Fall Accident

If you are not sure if you have a reason to file a slip and fall accident claim, you will want to consider these important elements.

Accidents on Private Property

If the accident occurs on property then they can be held liable for the injuries you received. This is called the occupier and that goes for anyone who has physical possession of the property that you got hurt on.

When a lawsuit is filed, an occupier can be held liable for an injury that is the result of their failure to maintain. In order to determine if the occupier can be held liable, you need to ask these questions:

Question 1: Did the occupier know that there was a hazard?

Question 2: Did the occupier fail to maintain the area by making appropriate adjustments so no one would get hurt

Accidents on Government Property

If a slip and fall occurs while you are on government property, you may feel intimidated because it is the government however even the government agencies can be lax on their duties to maintain areas that people walk around on. Negligence includes:

Failure to keep sidewalks and road ways clean and clear of ice and sprinkling salt down when ice has formed in order to prevent an accident. The city didn’t act quick enough to help thaw the rain and then it freezes