How to Make a Successful Slip and Fall Case

By Staff Writer

Slipping and falling is often portrayed as humorous on the internet, and in movies and television. TV shows like “America’s Funniest Home Videos” present clip after clip of people slipping on wet surfaces, falling from stair steps that were just too high, or taking missteps.

Most of the time the person who fell in the video starts laughing at themselves, finding their own harmless blunder humorous, but not every case of slip and fall is innocent and funny. Some incidents can not only result in bodily harm, but cost you dearly – both in terms of medical expenses and lost time from work.

Successful slip and fall cases entail an accident that occurred in public places, and the fall can be linked to failed safety standards by the business where the fall happened. Common examples of businesses that do not meet safety standards, which result in a customer’s injury, include:

• Floors with unmanaged spills, or a floor still wet from a cleaned spillage
• A sudden steep step without a caution sign
• Flooring without a proper safety seal
• Poor lighting
• Inadequate or missing hand rails

Slipping and falling in public can be embarrassing, painful, and dangerous. It can also be frightening, especially if you are alone.

If you have fallen in a public place, and believe that the business where the incident occurred may be at fault, follow these simple steps:

1. Remain calm and don’t try to jump back up right away. Our immediate instinct is to stand up quickly to avoid further embarrassment and show others that we are not hurt, but this can further aggravate injuries that you may have sustained from the fall. If you are alone, ask for assistance and slowly stand up.
2. If you are unable, or are alone, then ask someone else to take pictures of the scene with a camera or their cell phone. Particularly try to take images of the reason for the slip, whether it is a spill, slippery material, or mop and bucket. These pictures will be crucial for proving fault in your case.
3. As soon as possible, seek out a medical professional to assess the injuries you may have sustained from the fall. Keep all records of tests and evaluations for future use in your case.
4. Notify someone in charge of the business where the incident occurred of your accident and plan to take legal action. In places like malls or shopping plazas, contact the administrative department, and in other public places ask to speak to a manager or supervisor.
5. Set up a consultation with a Tennessee slip & fall  attorney. Many businesses may try to escape liability by saying that you or another customer were partly to blame. Only a lawyer specializing in slip and fall accidents will be able to give you the best advice regarding your case.

For the consultation you should bring any photos of the incident, contact information of any witnesses, medical documentation of your injury, evidence of lost work earnings, and any written correspondence you received from the place where you fell.

If you experience a slip and fall accident, and you believe the establishment where the incident occurred is at fault, then you may be able to be compensated for physical, emotional, and financial damages.

Contact Gilreath & Associates for a free consultation regarding your slip and fall case today.

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