If you’ve fallen and injured yourself in the city, it helps to know what steps you should take before contacting Toronto slip and fall lawyers. Many people slip and fall each year, often due to wet or dirty floors, damaged tiles, or other dangerous conditions. When serious injuries occur as a result of the property owner’s negligence, it can be crucial for the injured person to seek compensation. While slip and fall injury lawyers can help an injured person reach a settlement or win a case, there are some steps people should take to help improve their case.
Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident
When a slip and fall occurs, these are the immediate things you should do to improve your odds.
Determine if You Are at Fault
When you suffer a slip and fall injury, you need to immediately determine whether the property owner was at fault. If floors were wet without signage or damage was present, then you may be entitled to compensation. However, if you simply fell and there were no dangerous conditions, then you may not have a case. Observe the environment, and try to find out who the guilty party really is.
Document all Details
Write down what happened, what caused you to fall, what conditions were improper on the property, and what the property owner’s reaction was. The more details you have, the stronger your case will be. As well, record what you were wearing at the time. A property owner might suggest you were to blame if you were wearing something like platform shoes or sunglasses indoors.
Speak to Witnesses
Immediately speak to anyone who saw your fall as witnesses can make the difference in winning a case. Speak to anyone who witnessed the incident. Ask for their contact information and for a brief statement on what they saw.
Take Photos
It’s important to have evidence of your claims, so taking photos is crucial for winning a case. Take photos of the property, especially any dangerous conditions. As well, take photos of any visible injuries you suffered, such as bruising or cuts.
Contact Slip and Fall Injury Lawyers
Once you have documented all of the details you can and collected as much evidence as possible, contact personal injury lawyers who have experience handling slip and fall claims.
Proving Fault in Slip and Fall Accidents
Winning a slip and fall case depends on whether you can prove that the property owner was responsible for your injury. Typically, an injured person either needs to prove that the property owner was directly responsible (such as by leaving an obstacle in a walking path or mopping floors without a “Wet Floor” sign) or failed to recognize a hazard or dangerous condition (such as floor damage that needed to be repaired).
Liability in Slip and Fall Claims
To win a slip and fall case, you need to be able to prove that the property owner did not act in a reasonable and responsible way. For instance, if there was floor damage that was hidden and the property owner could not reasonably be aware of, they may not be held responsible. It is crucial to prove that there was some neglect or poor judgement on their part.
Legal Advice for Personal Injury Slips and Falls
Along with contacting a personal injury lawyer after your fall, you need to be aware of how your interactions with the property owner, insurers, and healthcare providers can make or “break” your case.
Firstly, it’s important to notify the property owner of your injury. You must report this immediately and to the highest ranking person you can reach. If you don’t, your chances of winning a case or reaching a settlement are greatly reduced. The property owner may want you to fill out an accident report. You can do this if you want, but you must also ensure all the information is accurate.
As well, you should also speak with your healthcare providers about your injury and ensure that they record this in your medical records. If there are inconsistencies in your medical records, you could easily lose your claim.
Finally, it’s important that you do not speak directly with insurers. Contact your personal injury lawyer and have him or her handle the insurers directly.
Taverniti | Vashishth LLP handles personal injury claims ranging from car and road accidents, slips and falls, and catastrophic claims. We are equipped to handle the most complex legal and insurance issues arising from your accident. To arrange a free consultation with one of our lawyers, contact us at (905) 264-8686.