What to Do When a Slip and Fall Happens in Dorchester

That one step. That one step that you take and immediately feel the ground shift underneath you. You feel a loss of balance, and suddenly you’ve fallen to the ground. We’ve all been there with some embarrassment but often little more than that as a harmful effect, no worse for the wear. We quickly shake it off and go about our day without a thought to any temporary or lasting impact lurking below the surface. This situation is the most positive outcome for many, one where the slip and fall leaves no marks and allows you to continue.

For many Dorchester residents, this experience feels very familiar. For others, it’s not that easy. Often, a fall is severe and causes significant harm. This is especially true for older men and women who are often more susceptible to serious injury. If your fall is the result of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to receive monetary compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering.

A slip and fall will happen, and we often will dismiss the pain as a small issue that will pass. However, over time, that pain could become worse or may indicate something more serious is wrong. Without a qualified medical diagnosis and appropriate testing, there is no way of knowing for sure. The pain may be a sign of temporary, semi-permanent, or permanent damage. The injury may impair your ability to work and enjoy your life. To be safe, the minute you feel pain as a result of a slip and fall accident, you should seek medical treatment. Contact your primary care physician or another qualified medical professional right away. If the pain is excruciating or you feel it necessary, you can visit an urgent care facility or an emergency room to get a quick diagnosis and treatment for your injuries. You should not ignore the pain, as it could be a sign of a worsening condition or underlying problems.

Waiting too long to treat can significantly hamper your ability to recover from your injuries. It also can substantially limit any monetary recovery from an insurance company or the negligent party. Make sure to keep copies of all the medical records and test results applicable to this injury. Your Dorchester slip and fall attorney may need them to present a claim to an insurance company or in court. When in doubt, err on the side of medical treatment and of keeping multiple copies of records.

After a slip and fall accident, your first priority should always be getting the medical attention you need. After that, try to take as many photos and videos of the scene where the slip and fall occurred as possible. Videos and images of the incident document the conditions of the fall as you experienced them. Taking photos and videos can bolster any insurance claim or court case down the road. They may serve as proof of unsafe conditions, a lack of signage, or something else that supports a claim of negligence against another party. It may also be helpful to take photos or videos of any cameras at the scene or nearby. Your Dorchester slip and fall attorney can later work to obtain that evidence to see if it shows exactly what happened and who is at fault. The more evidence you can record, the better for your potential slip and fall injury case.

If you are able, speak to those around you and get their contact information for use as impartial witnesses. Your slip and fall attorney can follow up with them later. Their recollection of what happened could be vital in deciphering what happened and who is to blame. Witnesses are especially important when a location does not have any video or surveillance cameras that may have captured the slip and fall as it happened or the conditions before or after the event. The negligent party will want to tell a story their way when there is no video evidence and witnesses can be used to overcome them. For example, they may try to claim an area was dry when, in reality, it was damp or slippery. They may try to claim there is clear signage warning of dangers. In actuality, signs did not exist at the time of the incident, or those that did were obstructed or in a location no one could actually see.

If your slip and fall accident happens at a place of business or government property, ask to make an official report with management or the person in charge. Document, in your own words, what happened, when, and what caused you to fall. These contemporaneous reports are crucial to ensuring that your words at the scene are recorded. They also will show your immediate feelings, pains and mindset. Oftentimes, memories will fade over time so immediate reports provide the best account possible of what happened. Be sure to ask for copies of the report and immediately turn it over to your Dorchester slip and fall attorney.

From the moment you slip and fall, your life changes. For some people, the changes are minor inconveniences. For others, significant disruptions upend their life, and their road to recovery can be difficult. Having an attorney on your side can ease the new challenges you face. Your attorney will deal with the burdens posed by hospital and doctors forms, insurance company documents, and mounting medical bills. When your treatment is complete, your Dorchester slip and fall lawyer will be able to help you get the monetary recovery you deserve for the pain and suffering you incur. Then, you can get back to living your life.

Contact the Dorchester slip and fall attorneys at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.