While a fall in a public place may cause you embarrassment, it may also leave you with serious injuries. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 20% of falls result in broken bones or head trauma. If someone else’s negligence or willful actions contributed to your fall, you may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries.
The human body’s stress response may mask injury symptoms. You may not realize you have suffered an injury until hours or even days after your fall. As such, only after a doctor examines you can you determine whether you have a clean bill of health. If you have an injury, documenting your fall is essential. Here are three tips for doing so.
- Notify the owner
In the modern era, many commercial and public spaces are under some type of video surveillance. While the footage may provide valuable insight into how the accident unfolded, you must notify the owner of the property. When you do, be sure not to apologize or accept blame for your injuries.
- Take numerous photographs
As the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Accordingly, provided you can do so safely, take as many photographs of the accident scene as possible. Also, photograph both your initial injuries and your recovery process.
- Talk to witnesses
Witnesses can help set the scene. Therefore, you should talk to witnesses and ask them to write down their accounts of the accident. Likewise, because you may need to follow up with those who saw your fall, you should ask each individual for his or her name and contact information.
After a slip-and-fall injury, you must brush off your embarrassment and focus on your recovery. If you plan to seek fair compensation for your injuries, including your pain and suffering, you need a good record of the accident. By understanding how to document your injury, you boost your odds of receiving enough compensation to recover completely.