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Slip and Fall accidents are one of the most frequent causes of injuries in the United States – such accidents are defined as the victim losing his/her footing on a surface resulting in a fall. Injuries often result from some incidents. Indeed, some slip and fall victims will suffer an injury so severe it impacts them for the rest of their lives. This injury and subsequent disability can result in years of medical intervention and costly expenses.
In order to protect your rights after a slip and fall accident, you should:
Get Medical Attention
Your top priority should be your health and well-being. If you are able, call for assistance. If not, shout for a bystander to help you. Even if you think you have not injured yourself and are able to walk, you should see a doctor for a complete evaluation. There might be hidden injuries that you are not aware of that could develop into something more serious over time.
Talk to the Property Owner
You must inform the manager, homeowner, landlord, or owner of the property about your accident. If you slip at a place of business, then the owner, manager, or person in charge should fill out an incident report. Make sure to get a copy of that report and hold on to it for safekeeping. If you could not get a copy of the report immediately, follow-up after the incident and request a copy of the report.
Collect Evidence
Gather all the evidence you can, including the items listed below.
● What you were wearing at the time of the accident, including your clothes and shoes
● Photos of the accident scene
● Security footage, if possible
● Witnesses’ contact information
● Medical reports, results of diagnostic tests, treatments, prognoses from doctors, etc.
● Medical expenses
● Proof of lost wages
Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you are a victim of a slip and fall accident and your injuries impact your normal daily life, work with an experienced personal injury law firm to file a premises liability claim for your damages.
You and your attorney should determine how much your injuries are worth from a financial standpoint. This is referred to as your economic damages. Your economic damages include an ambulance ride, your hospital visit, and all subsequent treatments and therapies you need.
Injuries from a slip and fall can impact you later in life, even if you believe you are fully healed. Your economic damages should include treatments you need throughout the rest of your life. For this reason, your attorney will estimate a figure for any potential medical needs you have in the future.
You are also entitled to compensation for the time you missed from work. Your attorney can claim your inability to work your normal job as a result of the injury from the accident.
Other damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and punitive damages should also be considered if the circumstances of your accident are particularly egregious or result in a catastrophic injury such as paralysis or severe brain trauma.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a slip and fall accident, visit Hirsch Andrade LLP online or call (203) 331-8888 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Connecticut personal injury attorney.