By Kari Guthix
There are several steps you need to do immediately after having a slip and fall accident while in a hospital. In fact, if you do not do these things, it may be difficult to prove your case regardless of the injuries you have sustained.
Seek medical attention
After the incident, you should seek medical assistance immediately. If you delay for days, the value of the compensation may reduce. This is because insurance companies and the defendants may argue that your injuries were either not caused by the incident or they are not as serious as you’re saying. Seeing a doctor will also allow you to save evidence such as medical bills and records. While at the clinic, mention how you were injured in the unfortunate event and your symptoms, even if they are minor.
Fill out an incident report
If you do not fill out an incident report, the facility manager or owner can easily deny that the incident occurred. You should be very descriptive and mention the time, the condition of the floor and whether there were any witnesses. You should also report the incident to the person with the highest rank or who is in charge of the property. If you are not able to do so, your close family member or friend should do so immediately.
Limit communication with witnesses, staff or employers
You should report the incident and collect the names, contacts and addresses of witnesses. However, you should not get into detailed discussions about the incident. Many cases have lost value because the injured party either downplayed their injuries, took blame or tried to explain reasons for their misfortune.
Take photos
You should take a lot of photos if you are able to. Take close up and wide-angle photos of the scene from different directions, including any conditions that caused you to trip and lose your balance. Also, snap pics of your injuries. If you are not able to do so, ask for assistance from a close family member or friend. The pics will help attorneys to evaluate the case and act as evidence too, because some property owners may try to fix the dangerous hazard after the injured party has left.
Never give recorded statements before consulting lawyers
If you have not consulted a lawyer, do not give recorded statements to insurance companies working with the healthcare facility. Their main aim is for you to say something that they can use to destroy your case or lower your compensation amount.
Talk to an attorney
You will need a very experienced and knowledgeable attorney to handle your case. Property owners may use tactics to deny their negligence or avoid taking accountability for the dangerous conditions.
Conclusion
If you or a loved one has sustained serious injuries after a slip and fall accident in a hospital, seek medical assistance first, fill out an incident report, collect the contact information of witnesses, take photos of the scene and your injuries and then reach out to an experienced lawyer for legal assistance to get compensation.
