what should i do following a slip and fall accident?
TRANSCRIPT
What Should I Do Following a Slip and Fall Accident?
Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common causes of injuries each year. 60,000
Canadians are hurt in a fall at work every year, accounting for 15% of all "time-loss injuries" as
recorded by workers comp.i Furthermore, many of these injuries were completely preventable.
At least 40% of all work injuries occur in part because appropriate fall prevention measures were
not in place where they should have been.ii
Trips and falls can cause serious injuries, both immediate and long-term. If you suffer a fall
either at work or at a place of business, it is important to follow certain steps to protect yourself
and make sure that you are properly compensated if the other party is at fault.
1. Take photos of the scene – One of the most important things that you can do after
suffering a fall, whether at work or while patronizing a business, is to obtain
photographic evidence establishing that the scene was unsafe. If you're unable to do it
yourself, have a coworker, friend, family member, or someone else at the scene take
pictures of the site of the accident, especially if there is an obvious safety hazard that may
have contributed to the accident. Because almost everyone has a camera on their phone
these days, this shouldn't be hard to do. If you have someone else take the photos, have
them take them with your phone, if possible. That way you will be sure to have the
evidence when you need it, and will be able to establish the groundwork for your future
injury claim.
2. Get witness statements – In addition to photos of the scene, one of the most important
kinds of evidence in an injury case are witness statements. If other people witnessed the
accident, make sure get their contact information so that they can make a statement at a
later time. There may also be witnesses who can make a statement about the condition of
the scene, even if they didn't see the actual fall. These kinds of statements are also
important, as they help establish the state of the accident scene before the actual incident
occurred. Businesses will often collect their own witness statements when an employee
or customer is hurt on site, but you will want to have your own statements to present as
evidence if the claim needs to be fought in court.
3. File an accident report – When you have a fall, it's important to file an accident report
recording that the incident happened. Filling out an accident report as soon as possible
establishes that the incident occurred, and gives you a chance to record any symptoms
and injuries that are immediately apparent from the accident.
4. Keep any important evidence – If an item or object caused your fall and it is possible to
collect it, keeping the item as evidence can be important to your claim. You should also
keep the shoes you were wearing during the accident, so that you can show what state
they were in when the fall occurred.
5. Retain a lawyer – By hiring a personal injury law firm, you will make sure that you and
your interests are properly represented after a fall. Without a lawyer, you will likely have
to settle for what the other party's insurance company is willing to initially cover, which
may not cover all of your expenses. The injury lawyers of Edson Legal can help you fight
for full compensation for your injuries, as well as any pain and suffering and other
expenses that your accident may have incurred.
Company Bio
Edson Legal has been fighting for injured Canadians' rights since 1982. Whether you've been in
a car accident, suffered a work injury, or been harmed in some other way, Edson Legal will
represent you in your fight to be compensated for the harm you've been caused. Contact Edson
Legal today at www.edsonlegal.com
Sources
i. http://jobsafety.seton.ca/10-tips-to-prevent-workplace-slips-trips-and-falls/
ii. http://jobsafety.seton.ca/10-tips-to-prevent-workplace-slips-trips-and-falls/